Hi there =) Possible problems with using .obj files to distribute code I'm thinking about using .obj files to distribute some code, as an alternative to .lib and .dll files. What are the possible problems that might arise from using this alternative? I find close to no reference to this in search engines, so i supose there must be something ultimately wrong with this approuch for it to not even be contemplated by programmers in general. I just don't know what it is. Any input on this will be appreciated. Thank you. ---------------------------------------- Extra info I'm considering using .obj files because my compiler doesn't make .lib files(Visual C++ Toolkit 2003), and i'de preffer not to use .dll's for it's complexity and slitly smaller performance potencial. ---------------------------------------- Question answered! Further search, based on suspections brought up by the posters =), realeaved .obj files are indeed compiler specific, and unsuitable for my current needs. ---------------------------------------- Correction. Visual C++ Toolkit 2003 can create .lib's after all, using the link.exe that comes with it with the /lib option. I missed this because it isn't documented in the help output of link.exe. ---------------------------------------- [Edited by - White Rabbit on September 20, 2004 7:26:08 AM]

I posted some modifications on the original post, to answer some of your questions.

OMG thank you soo much!

I don't need _a_ lib.exe application, i just need the funtionality, the ability to create a lib, but in that page it explains how to make a lib without the lib.exe, we just use link with /lib =D.

That really helped!

Rate up =)

Quote:Original post by MaulingMonkey
Not being up-to-date on details of the different formats, I believe .obj files might be compiler-specific, and unusable with different versions of said compiler... but I could be totally wrong.

Hi,

AFAIK obj files are standard: see wotsit. IIRC They has been designed by MS and intel in the early DOS days and are still used today.

@OP : there is no point of using .obj instead of .lib. You get the same restriction, since a lib is only a bunch of somewhat prelinked obj files, but you'll have more problem with file coherence (once you have everything in a library you are pretty sure that it has been generated at the same time ; with multiple object files you'll have to guess). DLL is probably the better if you plan to distribute something since you can add a DLL version which will help you during "customer support" (maybe exagerated here, but once you are giving away something, expect to have some return from your users).

HTH,