Dynamic Loading vs Static Linking
Developers should use dynamic loading when building extensible applications that need to support plugins or optional features, as it enables adding functionality without recompiling the main application meets developers should use static linking when creating portable, self-contained applications that need to run reliably across different systems without dependency issues, such as in embedded systems, cross-platform tools, or deployment to environments with strict library version controls. Here's our take.
Dynamic Loading
Developers should use dynamic loading when building extensible applications that need to support plugins or optional features, as it enables adding functionality without recompiling the main application
Dynamic Loading
Nice PickDevelopers should use dynamic loading when building extensible applications that need to support plugins or optional features, as it enables adding functionality without recompiling the main application
Pros
- +It's also valuable for optimizing performance in large applications by loading code only when needed, such as in web applications for lazy-loading components or in desktop software for modular add-ons
- +Related to: dependency-injection, plugin-architecture
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
Static Linking
Developers should use static linking when creating portable, self-contained applications that need to run reliably across different systems without dependency issues, such as in embedded systems, cross-platform tools, or deployment to environments with strict library version controls
Pros
- +It is also beneficial for performance-critical applications where the overhead of dynamic library loading is undesirable, though it increases binary size
- +Related to: compilation, linker
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
Use Dynamic Loading if: You want it's also valuable for optimizing performance in large applications by loading code only when needed, such as in web applications for lazy-loading components or in desktop software for modular add-ons and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.
Use Static Linking if: You prioritize it is also beneficial for performance-critical applications where the overhead of dynamic library loading is undesirable, though it increases binary size over what Dynamic Loading offers.
Developers should use dynamic loading when building extensible applications that need to support plugins or optional features, as it enables adding functionality without recompiling the main application
Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev