ranlib - generate index to archive
ranlib
The ranlib utility was used on many historical systems for maintaining .a libraries. On many current systems, including Interix, it serves no purpose, because ar(1) and lib.exe each have subsumed its functionality.
The Interix ranlib utility performs no actual function: it ignores all options and arguments, and it simply exits with a status of 0. It is provided with Interix only for for the sake of maintaining compatibility with existing makefiles.