Question

In a c++ project I am working on, I have a simple c++ file that needs to run some code at the beginning of the program execution. This file is linked into a static library, which is then linked into the main program.

I have similar code in other files running fine, that looks something like:

bool ____nonexistent_value = executeAction();

However, it does not work inside this file unless I make use of a function implemented in this file. It does work if the library is compiled as a shared library. I’d prefer to link this statically as the library is only a convenience as the file is in a different directory.

Update (Solution):

For now creating shared instead of static libraries makes everything work. Later I will look into getting everything linking with static libraries. Thanks for everyone’s help!

Answer 1

If no symbol is referenced in that particular file then the file will not be included by the linker. You have two options:

1. Remove the file from library and include it (object or source file) directly in the command line for compilation/linking. Then the file should be included in executable.
2. Have a symbol in a file which you reference from from other files (for example the one with main() definition), this should “pull” the file during linking.