diff --git a/glib/gmacros.h b/glib/gmacros.h
index 2b340cb0d..4fc20bf36 100644
--- a/glib/gmacros.h
+++ b/glib/gmacros.h
@@ -318,4 +318,97 @@
 #define GLIB_DEPRECATED_FOR(f) G_DEPRECATED_FOR(f)
 #endif
 
+/*
+  If G_HAS_CONSTRUCTORS is true then the compiler support *both* constructors and
+  destructors, in a sane way, including e.g. on library unload. If not you're on
+  your own.
+
+  Some compilers need #pragma to handle this, which does not work with macros,
+  so the way you need to use this is (for constructors):
+
+  #ifdef G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR_NEEDS_PRAGMA
+  #pragma G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR_PRAGMA_ARGS(my_constructor)
+  #endif
+  G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR(my_constructor)
+  static void my_constructor(void) {
+   ...
+  }
+
+*/
+
+#if  __GNUC__ > 2 || (__GNUC__ == 2 && __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 7)
+
+#define G_HAS_CONSTRUCTORS 1
+
+#define G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR(_func) static void __attribute__((constructor)) _func (void);
+#define G_DEFINE_DESTRUCTOR(_func) static void __attribute__((destructor)) _func (void);
+
+#elif _MSC_VER >= 1500
+/* Visual studio 2008 and later has _Pragma */
+
+#define G_HAS_CONSTRUCTORS 1
+
+#define G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR(_func) \
+  static void _func(void); \
+  static int _func ## _wrapper(void) { _func(); return 0; } \
+  __pragma(section(".CRT$XCU",read)) \
+  __declspec(allocate(".CRT$XCU")) static int (* _array ## _func)(void) = _func ## _wrapper;
+
+#define G_DEFINE_DESTRUCTOR(_func) \
+  static void _func(void); \
+  static int _func ## _constructor(void) { atexit (_func); return 0; } \
+  __pragma(section(".CRT$XCU",read)) \
+  __declspec(allocate(".CRT$XCU")) static int (* _array ## _func)(void) = _func ## _constructor;
+
+#elif defined (_MSC_VER)
+
+#define G_HAS_CONSTRUCTORS 1
+
+/* Pre Visual studio 2008 must use #pragma section */
+#define G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR_NEEDS_PRAGMA 1
+#define G_DEFINE_DESTRUCTOR_NEEDS_PRAGMA 1
+
+#define G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR_PRAGMA_ARGS(_func) \
+  section(".CRT$XCU",read)
+#define G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR(_func) \
+  static void _func(void); \
+  static int _func ## _wrapper(void) { _func(); return 0; } \
+  __declspec(allocate(".CRT$XCU")) static int (*p)(void) = _func ## _wrapper;
+
+#define G_DEFINE_DESTRUCTOR_PRAGMA_ARGS(_func) \
+  section(".CRT$XCU",read)
+#define G_DEFINE_DESTRUCTOR(_func) \
+  static void _func(void); \
+  static int _func ## _constructor(void) { atexit (_func); return 0; } \
+  __declspec(allocate(".CRT$XCU")) static int (* _array ## _func)(void) = _func ## _constructor;
+
+#elif defined(__SUNPRO_C)
+
+/* This is not tested, but i believe it should work, based on:
+ * http://opensource.apple.com/source/OpenSSL098/OpenSSL098-35/src/fips/fips_premain.c
+ */
+
+#define G_HAS_CONSTRUCTORS 1
+
+#define G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR_NEEDS_PRAGMA 1
+#define G_DEFINE_DESTRUCTOR_NEEDS_PRAGMA 1
+
+#define G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR_PRAGMA_ARGS(_func) \
+  init(_func)
+#define G_DEFINE_CONSTRUCTOR(_func) \
+  static void _func(void);
+
+#define G_DEFINE_DESTRUCTOR_PRAGMA_ARGS(_func) \
+  fini(_func)
+#define G_DEFINE_DESTRUCTOR(_func) \
+  static void _func(void);
+
+#else
+
+/* constructors not supported for this compiler */
+
+#endif
+
+
+
 #endif /* __G_MACROS_H__ */