Static and dynamic linking are two ways of linking libraries or object files to an executable program. Here's the difference between them:
Static linking:
Static linking is the process of linking libraries or object files directly into an executable program at compile time. This means that all the necessary code from the library is included in the executable file, resulting in a single self-contained executable that can be run on any compatible system without the need for any external dependencies. Static linking is often used for small programs or when the program needs to be distributed as a single file.
Dynamic linking:
Dynamic linking is the process of linking libraries or object files to an executable program at runtime. This means that the executable program only contains references to the libraries, and the actual code is loaded from the library file when the program is run. This allows multiple programs to share a single copy of the library code, reducing the overall size of the executable and the memory usage. Dynamic linking is often used for larger programs or when the program needs to be updated frequently without having to recompile the entire program.
The main advantage of dynamic linking is that it allows for more efficient use of system resources, as multiple programs can share the same libraries in memory. The main advantage of static linking is that it creates a self-contained executable that can be run on any system without requiring any additional dependencies.
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