-static tells the compiler to link all libraries following that option statically. If you don't tell the linker to link dynamically by default at some point after using this option (using -Bdynamic or something similar), then it will link _all_ libraries listed after -static statically, including libraries that normally get linked in by default, such as the C library, etc. Generally, if you only want a specify library linked in statically, you would do something like this: gcc -o a.out a.o -static -L. -lmylib -Wl,-Bdynamic The actual argument to use to tell the linker to link dynamically may be different depending on the platform you're building on. Cheers, Lyle -----Original Message----- From: gcc-help-owner@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:gcc-help-owner@xxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bansidhar Arvind Deshpande - CTD, Chennai. Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 4:05 AM To: gcc-help@xxxxxxxxxxx Subject: ld -static option. Hi all, I am using gcc 2.96. I am wondering the working of -static option given for ld. What is the exact functionality of this. e.g ld a.o -static -L./ -lmylib -o a.out In above example does the -static option apply only for mylib which is specified by -l or it is applied for all of the libraries to generated a.out. Generically does -static controls only to the libraries specified by -l or all of the libraries taken by ld to generate the executable ? I am also interested in hidden functionality of -static if exists. Thanks, --Bansidhar
