Red Programming Language: Static linking support
2 days ago
- #Red-programming
- #static-linking
- #self-contained-binaries
- The static linking toolchain allows the creation of single executables with all dependencies packed inside, eliminating the need for external libraries.
- Static linking is demonstrated using the miniz library, where functions like mz_compress are compiled into a self-contained binary with a simple command-line switch (-s).
- The linker supports selective archive loading, COMDAT folding, and relocation handling across multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, ARM, macOS), ensuring compatibility and efficient binary size.
- The CherryTracker example illustrates how static linking enhances development workflow by enabling quick testing with shared libraries and final release with static linking.
- This update maintains backward compatibility, allowing explicit library extensions for per-library control or extension-less names with the -s flag for whole-program static linking.
- Future improvements may include full C++ runtime support, debug-information passthrough, and incremental linking, with current focus on plain-C APIs.