How to create and build a C++ application that reference a static library? I have the .h and .lib files of the library.

If you want to use a static library provided by others, you can follow this tutorial:

1. Create the C++ source file, MyExecRefsLib.cpp, with a text editor. Remember to include the MathFuncsLib.h file in the source code:

// MyExecRefsLib.cpp
// compile with: cl /EHsc MyExecRefsLib.cpp /link MathFuncsLib.lib

#include <iostream>
#include "MathFuncsLib.h"

using namespace std;

int main()
{
    double a = 7.4;
    int b = 99;

    cout << "a + b = " <<
        MathFuncs::MyMathFuncs::Add(a, b) << endl;
    cout << "a - b = " <<
        MathFuncs::MyMathFuncs::Subtract(a, b) << endl;
    cout << "a * b = " <<
        MathFuncs::MyMathFuncs::Multiply(a, b) << endl;
    cout << "a / b = " <<
        MathFuncs::MyMathFuncs::Divide(a, b) << endl;

    return 0;
}

2. Compile MyExecRefsLib.cpp into MyExecRefsLib.obj with Visual Studio command "cl" with MathFuncsLib.h in the include path:

C:\fyicenter>cl /c /EHsc MyExecRefsLib.cpp
Microsoft (R) C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 19.10.25019 for x86
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

MyExecRefsLib.cpp

C:\fyicenter>dir MyExecRefsLib.*
09:23 AM               568 MyExecRefsLib.cpp
09:26 AM           146,650 MyExecRefsLib.obj

3. Build MyExecRefsLib.obj into MyExecRefsLib.exe with Visual Studio command "link" with MathFuncsLib.lib specified:

C:\fyicenter>link MyExecRefsLib.obj MathFuncsLib.lib
Microsoft (R) Incremental Linker Version 14.10.25019.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\fyicenter>dir MyExecRefsLib.*
09:23 AM               568 MyExecRefsLib.cpp
09:30 AM           220,160 MyExecRefsLib.exe
09:26 AM           146,650 MyExecRefsLib.obj

4. Run MyExecRefsLib.exe without any other files:

C:\fyicenter>MyExecRefsLib.exe
a + b = 106.4
a - b = -91.6
a * b = 732.6
a / b = 0.0747475

You can also compile and build MyExecRefsLib.cpp into MyExecRefsLib.exe with Visual Studio command "cl" directly with MathFuncsLib.lib specified. No need to run "link".

C:\fyicenter>cl /EHsc MyExecRefsLib.cpp /link MathFuncsLib.lib
Microsoft (R) C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 19.10.25019 for x86
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

MyExecRefsLib.cpp
Microsoft (R) Incremental Linker Version 14.10.25019.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

/out:MyExecRefsLib.exe
MathFuncsLib.lib
MyExecRefsLib.obj

C:\fyicenter>dir MyExecRefsLib.*
09:23 AM               568 MyExecRefsLib.cpp
09:35 AM           220,160 MyExecRefsLib.exe
09:35 AM           146,650 MyExecRefsLib.obj

 

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