Library in library...

[Sweep]

A question about linking with a static library that uses code from another
static library.

Suppose we have files A.h and A.cpp defining class A:

//////////////////////
// A.h
class A {
public:
A();
int get_value();
};
//////////////////////

//////////////////////
// A.cpp
#include "A.h"
A::A() {}
int A::get_value() {
return 1;
}
//////////////////////

We compile A.cpp and create a library A.lib.

Now suppose we have another set of files B.h and B.cpp defining class B:

//////////////////////
// B.h
#include "A.h"
class B {
public:
B();
int get_value();
private:
A a();
};
//////////////////////

//////////////////////
// B.cpp
#include "B.h"
B::B() {}
int B::get_value() {
return (2*a.get_value());
}
//////////////////////

Now suppose that we have a file test.cpp using class B:

//////////////////////
// test.cpp
#include <iostream.h>
#include "B.h"
B b();
cout << b.get_value();
//////////////////////

In order for this file to be built the following must be true (correct me if
I am wrong):
1. the compiler must be aware of the paths to both A.h and B.h
2. both A.lib and B.lib must be given to the linker

So, in order for one to use B.lib, one should also have, or be willing to
provide paths and other arguments about, A.lib!

So the question is:

Is there a way to create B.lib and an accompanying header file (say B2.h) in
such a way so that I only need to include this B2.h and link to B.lib in
order to compile a module that uses class B and create an executable? In
other words, is it possible to build B2.h and B.lib in such a way that it
B.lib is redistributable without needing to be accompanied by A.h and A.lib?

Thanx to all in advance

Sweep

P.S. Forgive me for any wrong terminology/expressions, English is not my
native language.

[Jack Klein]

On Mon, 8 Dec 2003 21:03:17 +0200, "Sweep" <no*****@ntua.gr> wrote in
comp.lang.c++:

A question about linking with a static library that uses code from another
static library.

The C++ language does not define static libraries or how linking is
performed at all. You need to ask this in a support group for your
particular compiler/linker combination. It is a compiler-specific
issue, not a language one.

--
Jack Klein
Home: http://JK-Technology.Com
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