Hi all,
I hope this is the right group to post this message.
In Windows, there are .lib file used to import the function in DLL
file to the binary application. I have come across many .a file in
Mingw. Generally, .a files are binary archive file. But I am wondering
is that kind of file can be used as import library in Mingw? Thanks
very much!

Regards!
Bo

Bo Yang <struggleyb@gmail.com> writes:

A more specific group will give you more detailed answers.

Probably. "Import" is not a very good word in this context because
its meaning is very abstract. The process by which a piece of code
that uses some functions get combined with the code the implements
those functions is usually called "linking" and can be done, broadly
speaking, either statically (when the program is built) or dynamically
(when the program runs).

..DLL files are Dynamic Link Libraries and .a files are usually used to
hold static libraries.

--
Ben.