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. |
2025/6/11Less than 1 minute
