Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h

From	Stephen Sprunk <stephen@sprunk.org>
Newsgroups	comp.lang.c
Subject	Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h
Date	2012-01-27 11:12 -0600
Organization	A noiseless patient Spider
Message-ID	<jfuluk$2jr$1@dont-email.me> (permalink)
References	<33220336.277.1327615195035.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@prnc5>

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On 26-Jan-12 15:59, Avinash Sonawane wrote:
> 1) Why I need to use -lm flag for math.h even if I had declared the
> #include <math.h> in the code?

You are confusing libraries and headers.  A library, eg. "libm",
contains the code for the function you want to call; A header file, eg.
"math.h", contains the declaration of the function you want to call.

You include a header file so the compiler knows about the function you
want to call.  However, you must separately tell the linker to include
the library with the function itself; the compiler won't tell the linker
that for you.

(In programs with a single source file, you may not see the distinction
between compiler and linker, but it's there--and understanding this is
very important when you have multiple source files.)

> 2) If it's all about linking the library then why I don't have to do
> the same thing with stdio.h too?

Most linkers are set up so that they automatically link your code
against one or more libraries by default, eg. "libc".  However, you
still need to tell the compiler about the functions you want to call by
including the relevant header file, eg. "stdio.h".

> 3) Or we have to add the -l'library' switch for every library excluding
> stdio.h?

For every library that your linker doesn't include by default.  Check
your linker's documentation.

> 4) In case if the -l'library' switch is used for some specific
> libraries only then please direct me to the complete list of such
> libraries.

There is no complete list of libraries, nor could there be since new
ones are created every day.  However, the documentation for the library
functions you use should specify what, if any, library you should link to.

S

-- 
Stephen Sprunk         "God does not play dice."  --Albert Einstein
CCIE #3723         "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the
K5SSS        dice at every possible opportunity." --Stephen Hawking

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About -lm switch used for linking math.h Avinash Sonawane <avinash.sonawane1990@gmail.com> - 2012-01-26 13:59 -0800
  Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-26 14:15 -0800
  Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h James Kuyper <jameskuyper@verizon.net> - 2012-01-26 17:17 -0500
    Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Eric Sosman <esosman@ieee-dot-org.invalid> - 2012-01-26 20:54 -0500
    Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Kaz Kylheku <kaz@kylheku.com> - 2012-01-27 02:12 +0000
  Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h jacob navia <jacob@spamsink.net> - 2012-01-26 23:29 +0100
  Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Joe Pfeiffer <pfeiffer@cs.nmsu.edu> - 2012-01-26 23:09 -0700
    Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h jacob navia <jacob@spamsink.net> - 2012-01-27 08:37 +0100
    Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2012-01-27 09:48 +0000
      OT:Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Kleuske <kleuske@nowhere.net> - 2012-01-27 10:15 +0000
        Re: OT:Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2012-01-27 14:43 +0000
          Re: OT:Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h tom st denis <tom@iahu.ca> - 2012-01-27 07:49 -0800
            Re: OT:Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2012-01-27 15:55 +0000
              Re: OT:Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h tom st denis <tom@iahu.ca> - 2012-01-27 10:14 -0800
            Re: OT:Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-27 11:23 -0800
          Re: OT:Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Joe Pfeiffer <pfeiffer@cs.nmsu.edu> - 2012-01-27 09:42 -0700
            Re: OT:Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h 88888 Dihedral <dihedral88888@googlemail.com> - 2012-01-28 14:08 -0800
        Re: OT:Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Phil Carmody <thefatphil_demunged@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-02-14 13:14 +0200
      Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Rui Maciel <rui.maciel@gmail.com> - 2012-01-27 16:56 +0000
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2012-01-27 17:34 +0000
          Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Rui Maciel <rui.maciel@gmail.com> - 2012-01-27 17:50 +0000
          Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Kaz Kylheku <kaz@kylheku.com> - 2012-01-27 17:58 +0000
            Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h tom st denis <tom@iahu.ca> - 2012-01-27 10:15 -0800
            Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2012-01-27 19:25 +0000
              Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Kleuske <kleuske@nowhere.net> - 2012-01-28 18:09 +0000
            Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h jt@toerring.de (Jens Thoms Toerring) - 2012-01-27 21:32 +0000
    Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h "Wolfgang.Draxinger" <Wolfgang.Draxinger@physik.uni-muenchen.de> - 2012-01-27 12:40 +0100
      Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h "BartC" <bc@freeuk.com> - 2012-01-27 12:48 +0000
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ben Bacarisse <ben.usenet@bsb.me.uk> - 2012-01-27 14:28 +0000
      Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Kaz Kylheku <kaz@kylheku.com> - 2012-01-27 17:14 +0000
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2012-01-27 17:34 +0000
      Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Joe Pfeiffer <pfeiffer@cs.nmsu.edu> - 2012-01-27 10:43 -0700
    Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Stephen Sprunk <stephen@sprunk.org> - 2012-01-27 12:25 -0600
      Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h "BartC" <bc@freeuk.com> - 2012-01-27 18:41 +0000
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h James Kuyper <jameskuyper@verizon.net> - 2012-01-27 13:45 -0500
          Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-27 11:29 -0800
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Jens Gustedt <jens.gustedt@loria.fr> - 2012-01-27 22:35 +0100
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Stephen Sprunk <stephen@sprunk.org> - 2012-01-27 17:19 -0600
          Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h James Kuyper <jameskuyper@verizon.net> - 2012-01-27 19:22 -0500
            Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Tim Rentsch <txr@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2012-01-31 23:32 -0800
          Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-27 16:26 -0800
            Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ian Collins <ian-news@hotmail.com> - 2012-01-28 13:30 +1300
              Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-27 17:04 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ian Collins <ian-news@hotmail.com> - 2012-01-28 14:10 +1300
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Eric Sosman <esosman@ieee-dot-org.invalid> - 2012-01-27 21:06 -0500
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-27 20:09 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-27 20:15 -0800
              Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Stephen Sprunk <stephen@sprunk.org> - 2012-01-27 23:03 -0600
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ian Collins <ian-news@hotmail.com> - 2012-01-28 19:10 +1300
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Malcolm McLean <malcolm.mclean5@btinternet.com> - 2012-01-28 04:28 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Stephen Sprunk <stephen@sprunk.org> - 2012-01-28 15:25 -0600
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ian Collins <ian-news@hotmail.com> - 2012-01-29 11:39 +1300
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Nick Keighley <nick_keighley_nospam@hotmail.com> - 2012-01-29 09:53 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Jorgen Grahn <grahn+nntp@snipabacken.se> - 2012-02-03 10:39 +0000
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Joshua Maurice <joshuamaurice@gmail.com> - 2012-02-01 16:42 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h jgk@panix.com (Joe keane) - 2012-02-02 01:29 +0000
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-28 15:22 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Stephen Sprunk <stephen@sprunk.org> - 2012-01-29 16:52 -0600
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-30 02:04 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ike Naar <ike@iceland.freeshell.org> - 2012-01-30 10:22 +0000
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-30 02:36 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Phil Carmody <thefatphil_demunged@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-02-14 13:33 +0200
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ike Naar <ike@iceland.freeshell.org> - 2012-02-14 23:48 +0000
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-02-14 16:35 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Phil Carmody <thefatphil_demunged@yahoo.co.uk> - 2012-02-22 02:44 +0200
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Malcolm McLean <malcolm.mclean5@btinternet.com> - 2012-01-30 04:30 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ben Bacarisse <ben.usenet@bsb.me.uk> - 2012-01-30 14:36 +0000
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Tim Rentsch <txr@alumni.caltech.edu> - 2012-01-31 23:50 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-28 15:29 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Malcolm McLean <malcolm.mclean5@btinternet.com> - 2012-01-29 09:11 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h "BartC" <bc@freeuk.com> - 2012-01-29 17:49 +0000
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Malcolm McLean <malcolm.mclean5@btinternet.com> - 2012-01-29 10:07 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-29 14:24 -0800
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Nick Keighley <nick_keighley_nospam@hotmail.com> - 2012-01-29 09:43 -0800
            Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Keith Thompson <kst-u@mib.org> - 2012-01-27 16:54 -0800
              Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Kaz Kylheku <kaz@kylheku.com> - 2012-01-28 01:09 +0000
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ian Collins <ian-news@hotmail.com> - 2012-01-28 14:20 +1300
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Azazel <azazel@remove.azazel.net> - 2012-01-30 17:40 -0600
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Kaz Kylheku <kaz@kylheku.com> - 2012-01-31 00:05 +0000
    Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h jgk@panix.com (Joe keane) - 2012-01-27 20:03 +0000
      Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Malcolm McLean <malcolm.mclean5@btinternet.com> - 2012-01-27 12:26 -0800
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ian Collins <ian-news@hotmail.com> - 2012-01-28 10:24 +1300
          Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h "BartC" <bc@freeuk.com> - 2012-01-27 21:32 +0000
            Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h James Kuyper <jameskuyper@verizon.net> - 2012-01-27 16:39 -0500
            Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-27 23:24 -0600
              Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ian Collins <ian-news@hotmail.com> - 2012-01-28 20:38 +1300
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-28 02:17 -0600
              Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Richard Damon <news.x.richarddamon@xoxy.net> - 2012-01-28 14:07 -0500
                Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-28 15:07 -0600
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h jgk@panix.com (Joe keane) - 2012-01-28 21:09 +0000
      Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Joe Pfeiffer <pfeiffer@cs.nmsu.edu> - 2012-01-27 21:39 -0700
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ben Bacarisse <ben.usenet@bsb.me.uk> - 2012-01-28 11:21 +0000
          Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Joe Pfeiffer <pfeiffer@cs.nmsu.edu> - 2012-01-28 17:51 -0700
            Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Ben Bacarisse <ben.usenet@bsb.me.uk> - 2012-01-29 02:03 +0000
      Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Kaz Kylheku <kaz@kylheku.com> - 2012-01-28 18:58 +0000
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h jacob navia <jacob@spamsink.net> - 2012-01-28 20:48 +0100
          Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-28 22:54 -0600
      Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h jgk@panix.com (Joe keane) - 2012-01-29 21:42 +0000
        Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Robert Wessel <robertwessel2@yahoo.com> - 2012-01-30 00:14 -0600
  Re: About -lm switch used for linking math.h Stephen Sprunk <stephen@sprunk.org> - 2012-01-27 11:12 -0600

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