Static vs Dynamic Libraries: The Showdown

Static libraries are embedded into the executable at compile time, while Dynamic libraries (ending in .so or .dll) are loaded at runtime.

The Comparison

Feature	Static Library	Dynamic Library
Link Time	Compile time. Code is baked in.	Runtime. Program loads the library.
File Size	Larger executable.	Smaller executable (lib is external).
Dependency	None. Everything is inside.	Requires external .so or .dll files.
Memory	Each program has its own copy. High usage.	Shared copy in memory. Saves RAM.
Updates	Must recompile the whole program.	Just replace the library file.
Cross-Platform	Must compile for each platform.	Same lib works if platform matches.
Deployment	Simple copy-paste of one file.	"DLL Hell" / Dependency management.

When to Use What?

• Static Libraries: Great for embedded systems, simple deployments, or when you want to ensure the app works regardless of the system's environment. "It just works."
• Dynamic Libraries: Essential for OS components, plugins, or large systems where multiple apps share functionality. Saves disk space and memory.