Static code on Solaris?

Question

Question:

• Why were static libraries /usr/lib/*.a dropped from Solaris 10?
• So it is NOT possible to generate statically-linked object?
  • Dynamically-linked compilation, is the only option?

Answer 1

If you pass the right flags to the linker, then you can create a static library or application. However, why would you want to? Static libraries are a pain to provide fixes for.

Answer 2

You can still create your own *.a libraries and link to them, but the system libraries will always be dynamically linked.

See: this post from blogs.oracle.com

Answer 3

It's a wise decision. The static linking idea does not really work well. Thats why LSB (Linux Standard Base) Project also forbids static linking. Compatibility moved away from system calls to a higher level in the last two decades.

Answer 4

Can't say I've ever gone looking for them, but did you check the "additional options" (or whatever they call it) CD/DVD? I remember it had other random "missing" things...