Dynamic

Runtime Inclusion vs Static Linking

Developers should use runtime inclusion when building extensible applications that need to support plugins, load configuration-based modules, or reduce initial startup overhead by deferring resource loading 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.

🧊Nice Pick

Runtime Inclusion

Developers should use runtime inclusion when building extensible applications that need to support plugins, load configuration-based modules, or reduce initial startup overhead by deferring resource loading

Runtime Inclusion

Nice Pick

Developers should use runtime inclusion when building extensible applications that need to support plugins, load configuration-based modules, or reduce initial startup overhead by deferring resource loading

Pros

  • +It is essential in frameworks that support hot-reloading, microservices with dynamic service discovery, or applications requiring conditional feature activation based on runtime conditions
  • +Related to: dependency-injection, reflection

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 Runtime Inclusion if: You want it is essential in frameworks that support hot-reloading, microservices with dynamic service discovery, or applications requiring conditional feature activation based on runtime conditions 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 Runtime Inclusion offers.

🧊
The Bottom Line
Runtime Inclusion wins

Developers should use runtime inclusion when building extensible applications that need to support plugins, load configuration-based modules, or reduce initial startup overhead by deferring resource loading

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev