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[C++, VC2008] DLL or LIB?

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Started by programci_84 July 01, 2010 01:12 AM

2 comments, last by Sneftel 13 years, 9 months ago

programci_84

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Author

July 01, 2010 01:12 AM

Hi all,

Currently I'm working on my graphics engine. I started with writing some low-level core systems.

I'm using VC++ 2008 Express Edition and decided to build all the system elements of the architecture seperately: ZTxCoreWin32, ZTxRenderer, ZTxPhysics, ZTxAnimaton etc.

What do you suggest about making'em all Dynamic Linked or Static Linked Libraries (DLLs or LIBs)? Actually, I don't know the differences between'em and any pros/cons.

Thanks in advance.

There's no "hard", and "the impossible" takes just a little time.

Zipster

2,420

July 01, 2010 03:26 AM

Static libraries are probably going to be the easiest to start out with. Less files, less headaches. Sadly, longer link times, but only with larger codebases. DLLs are great if you're actually taking advantage of shared executable code and dynamic linking (i.e. you have multiple games that use common engine DLLs, so upgrading the DLLs automatically upgrades all your games), but this kind of functionality requires you to architect your code in a particular (stricter) fashion. If the DLLs are just extra dependencies sitting around that only a single application ever uses, you've defeated the purpose of using them.