Linking Problem 1

[RaKKeR]

Hi,

This may be a stupid question, but I'll ask it anyway. Is it possible to merge a bunch of lib-files into one static library that has no dependencies? Let's say I have two libraries lib1.lib and lib2.lib. Lib1 uses lib2 to function correctly. Can I merge lib1 and lib2 into lib3 which has the functionalities of lib1 and which can be used on a pc that lacks lib2?

Thx in advance,

RaKKeR

 

[PerFnurt]

No, there's no linking into libs.

/Per

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[RaKKeR]

So if I want to create a library that can be used by a third party, there's no other choise than to give them the separate files and tell them to link them all with there new program?

 

[PerFnurt]

That's the way. Note for example how many .libs there are included by default when generating, say, a simple console app with the AppWizard.

If you are creating the .lib, and the other libs you wish to link into it are also yours then of course it's only a matter of compiling it all into a single .lib. (or are you trying to distribute other's work as yours?)

You could cram in all into a .dll though (.dll and .exe is almost the same thing), but then you'd get a run-time dependancy (but to a single .lib/.dll pair) rather than just a link time dependancy.



/Per

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[RaKKeR]

If you are creating the .lib, and the other libs you wish to link into it are also yours then of course it's only a matter of compiling it all into a single .lib. (or are you trying to distribute other's work as yours?)

The .lib's are made by myself. But I can't find a way to compile them in one lib. I don't even know if it's possible...

You could cram in all into a .dll though (.dll and .exe is almost the same thing), but then you'd get a run-time dependancy (but to a single .lib/.dll pair) rather than just a link time dependancy.

are you sure all the dependant libs will be compiled in the dll?

 

[PerFnurt]

The .lib's are made by myself. But I can't find a way to compile them in one lib. I don't even know if it's possible

Sure it is possible. Just create a new .lib project and add all required .h/.cpp files to it. Compile.

Example:
Say you have a bunch of source code a.h/a.cpp, b.h/b.cpp.
Today you let a.h/a.cpp compile to a.lib, and b.h/b.cpp compile to b.lib

Make a new project containing all the source a.h/a.cpp and b.h/b.cpp and compile it to a single lib

are you sure all the dependant libs will be compiled in the dll?

Yes. Just as everything required would be linked into an .exe. As I said a .dll and a .exe is alomst the same thing, a .dll contains fully executeable code, basiacally the only difference is that
1) A .dll exports some well-defined dll functions (but a .exe could do this as well)
2) A .exe can be executed by itself, a .dll can not.



/Per

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