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Date: Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:56:44 -0700
From: Eric Blake <ebb9 AT byu DOT net>
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To: cygwin AT cygwin DOT com
Subject: Re: need some explanations about files ".a" ".la" ".dll.a"
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According to ludo on 11/5/2008 2:55 AM:
> In linux :
> .../lib/libfoo.so is the equivalent of .../bin/cygfoo.dll
> .../lib/libfoo.a is the equivalent of .../lib/libfoo.a
> and there are no equivalent for libfoo.dll.a

Correct so far...

> and libfoo.la in linux ?

Missed one.  libfoo.la exists on Linux as well (in order for libtool to
hide platform differences on how libraries are accessed, *.la files are an
essential installation point.  Some Linux distros prefer to strip .la
files when installed into default locations, but there is a discussion on
the libtool list right now how that is only hurting libtool's chances of
getting everything right).

> 
> when gcc links binaries, it uses only
>    .o files
>    .a files
>    .dll.a files
> libfoo.la is a helper file only uses by libtool (not handled by gcc) :
> is that correct ?

Gcc can also link directly against *.dll, but yes, having *.dll.a in place
aids its job.   And yes, libfoo.la is only used by libtool.

- --
Don't work too hard, make some time for fun as well!

Eric Blake             ebb9 AT byu DOT net
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