Shared libraries in Linux are collections of functions and routines that can be used by multiple programs simultaneously. They provide a way to share code among different applications, which helps in reducing memory usage and disk space. Here are some key points about shared libraries:
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Dynamic Linking: Shared libraries are linked to programs at runtime rather than at compile time. This allows for updates to the library without needing to recompile the dependent applications.
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File Extension: Shared libraries typically have the
.so(shared object) file extension. -
Efficiency: By sharing common code, multiple programs can run simultaneously without each having their own copy of the library, which saves memory.
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Versioning: Shared libraries can have version numbers, allowing different applications to use different versions of the same library if necessary.
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Location: Shared libraries are usually stored in standard directories like
/lib,/usr/lib, or/usr/local/lib. -
Loading: The dynamic linker/loader (
ld.so) is responsible for loading shared libraries into memory when a program starts.
Using shared libraries is a common practice in Linux development, as it promotes modularity and code reuse.
