What every C++ developer should know about linking [closed]

Answer 1

If you are starting in programming / C++, I will start by having a good understanding of how a static and dynamic libs works and make a couple of tutorials to make a .dll and .lib. Google is your best friend for this: I just find this for e.g: http://www.bogotobogo.com/cplusplus/libraries.php.

Note that the way you make a lib depends on your C++ compiler. The ones I have on top of my head are an integrated development environment (IDE) like Visual Studio or also the gnu C++ compiler.

Answer 2

There are TONS of resources.

I guess that might be overwhelming for a "beginner" ;)

As far as "Windows", you could do worse than to start here:

• Windows Architecture Overview

• Beginner's Guide to Linkers

I'd also recommend this:

• Programming from the Ground Up

'Hope that helps :)

PS:

As clarification:

• You want to know how the bits you've "compiled" (into machine code) all come together by "linking". A totally fair question :)

• It also helps to know a bit about how that machine code relates to a "running program"...

• ... and how a "running program" uses some bits from the (static) .exe, and other bits from the dynamic runtime (.dll's, or "dynamically linked libraries).

• All of these details are often completely platform- and OS-specific

• Hence the (varied) links.

Again, I hope all that helps with your initial question.

Answer 3

One point you should know about is ODR, and particularly what it means for inline symbols.

The wikipedia entry may be a good start.

Answer 4

I highly recommend reading John Levine's "Linkers & Loaders". Most of the book is available online here but you should buy the book and support the author. This book taught me quite a lot about how to really dig into the binaries.