What is a file with extension a

Question

I downloaded this  https   github com mongodb mongo-c-driver  And now I m trying to use it inside my C program  but I don t know what to do with the generated  a files  What are they  I couldn t find any information  not even in the GCC manual    And I built it like so      scons --c99   Also  can I use C99 libraries with my C89 program

User · Accepted Answer

a files are static libraries typically generated by the archive tool   You usually include the header files associated with that static library and then link to the library when you are compiling

User · Answer

a files are created with the ar utility  and they are libraries  To use it with gcc  collect all  a files in a lib  folder and then link with -L lib  and -l lt name of specific library gt    Collection of all  a files into lib  is optional  Doing so makes for better looking directories with nice separation of code and libraries  IMHO

[c] What is a file with extension .a?

Examples related to c

Examples related to gcc

Examples related to shared-libraries