compilation error if use --static flag with gcc

Question

When I try to compile static, I am getting the following error:

gcc  defrag.c -o abc.exe --static
/usr/bin/ld: cannot find -lc
collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status

However, the same thing compiles fine without static:

gcc  defrag.c -o abc.exe

Question: Why did the compilation failed when static is specified?

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:08:45Z

3

The error is occurring becuase "--static" says that all subsequent libraries in your link command must be static ... but you only have a dynamic libc on your system.

Recommended solution:

gcc defrag.c -o abc -lc --static -lmystaticlib

If you're just trying to create a static exe for the sake of having a static exe - I'd recommend "don't". Shared libraries are Good. For many different reasons.

Here's a good link:

Linux static linking is dead?

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:08

CommunityBot

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answered Oct 28, 2012 at 5:07

paulsm4

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2 Comments

anon Over a year ago

Thanks paul. I am building for embedded environment. To save myself from the trouble of having to move all the libraries along with the app, I decided to go with static.

paulsm4 Over a year ago

You might wish to compile a static libc. You might also look at ELF Stratifier

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