8.3. Static libraries

The static library (libraryname.a) is usually provided in addition to the shared version. It is placed into the development package (see below).

In some cases, it is acceptable for a library to be available in static form only; these cases include:

• libraries for languages whose shared library support is immature or unstable

• libraries whose interfaces are in flux or under development (commonly the case when the library’s major version number is zero, or where the ABI breaks across patchlevels)

• libraries which are explicitly intended to be available only in static form by their upstream author(s)