link static lib in eclipse cdt

Question

I am sorry! I have googled this a lot and cannot find an answer! It's dumb I know.

I cannot link in static libraries(*.a) in eclipse cdt. I listed them all in Project->Settings-> GCC C++ linker -> Libraries. I used the absolute path to make sure I had the lib correct... and i get:

cannot find -l/usr/local/lib/libboost_date_time.a

I am sure it's stupid whatever I am doing wrong :(

Edit -- and i should mention i am linking the libraries at run time...

You can specify the full path for libs in gcc by prepending ':'. So in your case that would be '-l:/usr/local/lib/libboost_date_time.a', or add ':/usr/...' to the libraries in eclipse. But the convention of prefix 'lib' and adding search paths is there for a reason, so better use absolute paths only if _really_ necessary. — erebos, Apr 14 '16 at 13:42

score 19 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 10 '11 at 13:16

19

I remember having a similar issue way back when I was compiling our code under linux (coming from a windows background) and if I recall correctly specifying the absolute path to the static lib also didn't work.

Are you aware that to link to "libboost_date_time.a", you need to specify "boost_date_time" without the "lib" and the ".a"? In my case that solved the problem. /usr/local/lib should be on your path in any case AFAIR.

answered Feb 10 '11 at 13:16

Ralf

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I did try not dropping the ".a" and I still get the same error?? – JonnyCplusplus Feb 10 '11 at 14:42
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@Ralph.... Got it... needed to set up each dir (-L) and then each library without the "lib" or the ".a" thanks... – JonnyCplusplus Feb 10 '11 at 15:50
If you have a direct path to the library, you can link to it without the `-l` flag (e.g., `gcc foo.cpp /usr/local/lib/libboost_date_time.a`) – John Bartholomew Feb 10 '11 at 16:02
John Bartholomew - you can't do that in Eclipse (at least not via *Paths and Symbols -> Libraries*. Eclipse still adds the `-l`). – jww Feb 20 '14 at 20:31
I tried this method and it failed. Not sure why. The other answer works for me. – J. Doe Aug 09 '18 at 04:12

score 16 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 20 '14 at 20:51

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Static libraries or archives are just a collection of object files.

Add the archive as Other Objects under C/C++ Build -> Settings -> C++ Linker -> Miscellaneous:

enter image description here

Some folks cry bloody murder over specifying a full pathname. I find it works in practice (unlike theory at times), and its no worse than breaking the path and filename, and then specifying them with -L and -l. And did I mention it actually works in practice...

answered Feb 20 '14 at 20:51

jww

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I've tried that, it seems not to work. I've done this with the newest mongodb drivers. Is there something i've got to be careful ? Like not having the ".so" libs in a include path? – Oliver Oct 09 '16 at 23:44
This is probably the best answer for the OP, as his archive is not prefixed by `lib`. It worked a treat for me. Thanks! – Mawg says reinstate Monica May 23 '17 at 09:20
Thank you so much! I tried the (-l) and (-L) method, and it fails. Too much headache. Your way works. – J. Doe Aug 09 '18 at 04:12

score 7 · Answer 3 · edited Mar 05 '12 at 16:14

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I had the similar problem when adding the libs in the C/C++ General->Paths & Symbols configuration screen.

Instead on the C/C++ Build -> settings screen under GCC C++ Linker / Libraries I added the library name without lib and .a in Libraries (-l) and adding the path in Libraries search path (-L). This solved my problem

edited Mar 05 '12 at 16:14

ManuPK

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answered Mar 05 '12 at 11:28

Mauricio Quintana

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@256: Probably best to start a new question if this answer didn't help. – Enigma Feb 04 '13 at 18:48
thx. removing the "lib", in addition to ".a" was the missing link! – smertrios Jul 01 '14 at 00:38

link static lib in eclipse cdt

3 Answers3

Linked