How to add *.h and *.c files to compiler/linker

[rss81]

Hi,

On Windows 10, using eclipse for c projects I have installed the MinGW compiler. I've been able to add a static library (*.h, *.c files). I can't for some reason get a shared library to work.

I notice that for my shared library I generate a *.o file and a *.dll file but I am not creating a *.so file.

Here are the steps I'm taking:

1. open eclipse in new workspace

2. create a new c project
   a) project name ->SharedLib
   b) project type -> shared Library -> empty project
   c) toolchain -> MinGW GCC

3. In SharedLib folder
   a) create test.h (header file) and test.c (source file)

   test.h

   #ifndef TEST_H_
   #define TEST_H_
   void test_print(void);
   #endif /* TEST_H_ */

   test.c

   #include <stdio.h>
   void test_print(void){
   printf("we have lift off");
   }

4. build Sharedlib
   a) creates Binaries -> libSharedLib.dll

5. create new c project Exec
   a) empty project
   b) add source file main.c

   main.c

   #include <stdio.h>
   #include "test.h"
   int main(void){
   printf("we are on the launch pad");
   test_print();
   }

6. go into properties of Exec->Paths and Symbols->references
   a) choose SharedLib, apply and close

7. build all and then run
   I have no error messages and no output. the only thing it says is:

(exit value: -1,073,741,515)Exec.exe[C/C++ Application]
D:\workplace3\Exec\Debug\Exec.exe(9/14/23,3:05pm)
Could really use some help getting this to work.

The goal is to get this shared library automatically included in all my c projects

I believe (but am not sure) that -1,073,741,515 is the code for DLL not found but it's there!

[itbuddies]

The two ways to add .h and .c files to a compiler/linker are:

1. Using the command line:

To add .h and .c files to the compiler/linker using the command line, you can use the following steps:

• Create a new directory for your project.
• Copy your .h and .c files to the directory.
• Open a terminal window and navigate to the directory.
• Compile your .c files using the following command:

c compiler -o executable_name *.c
The c compiler command is the name of the C compiler that you are using. For example, on Linux systems, you would use the gcc command. The -o executable_name option tells the compiler to create an executable file with the given name.

• Link the compiled object files into an executable file using the following command:

c linker executable_name
The c linker command is the name of the C linker that you are using. For example, on Linux systems, you would use the ld command.

For example, the following commands would compile and link the hello.c and hello.h files to create an executable file called hello:

gcc -o hello hello.c
ld hello

Once the executable file has been created, you can run it using the following command:

./hello
2. Using a C compiler/linker IDE:

If you are using a C compiler/linker IDE, such as Eclipse or Visual Studio, you can usually add .h and .c files to your project by simply dragging and dropping them into the project window. The IDE will then compile and link the files for you when you build the project.

For example, to add .h and .c files to a C compiler/linker project using Eclipse, you can follow these steps:

• Open Eclipse and create a new C project.
• Right-click on the project in the Package Explorer and select New > Source File.
• Enter a name for the header file and select the C Header File file type.
• Click Finish to create the header file.
• Repeat steps 2-4 to create the source file.
• Right-click on the project in the Package Explorer and select Properties.
• In the Project Properties dialog box, select C/C++ > Build.
• On the Settings tab, click the Add button next to the Source field.
• Select the Source File option and click Next.
• Select the source file that you created and click Finish.
• Click OK to close the Project Properties dialog box.
• To compile and link the project, click the Run button on the Eclipse toolbar.

Eclipse will compile and link the project and create an executable file. You can then run the executable file by clicking the Debug button on the Eclipse toolbar.

Which method you use to add .h and .c files to a compiler/linker depends on your personal preference and the tools that you are using.

[gvl2023]

Not exactly sure how it works with MinGW as I think it creates native Windows executables, hence the .dll file not .so. On Linux you need to either link with rpath or have LD_LIBRARY_PATH contain the directory of your shared lib in the environment your executable runs. Try adding

-Wl,-rpath,path_of_directory_containing_your_shared_lib

in the [ToolSettings/GCC C Linker/Miscellaneous/Linker flags] field of your Exec project.