Where to find more information about GNU linker?

[Craig Rodrigues]

Hi,

I'd like to learn more about the GNU linker which is
invoked by gcc on Linux systems.  Can someone recommend
a good reference?

I am interested in:
- when linking in a static library (libMylib.a), does the
  linker only bring into the final executable the
  symbols that are required, or does it combine all the symbols
  in the library into the final executable?

- how does the GNU/Linux linker deal with multiple C++ template
  instantiations?

- how does the GNU/Linux linker compare in terms of link time
  performance compared to linkers on other systems?

Thanks.
-- 
Craig Rodrigues        
http://www.gis.net/~craigr    
rodrigc@mediaone.net