The gcc compiler prefers to use dynamic libraries in the linking phase. When porting software from one machine to another it is frequently desirable to link to static libraries as much as possible to account for different versions of the libraries. The -static flag is useful when you do not need any dynamic library support but causes the linker to fail if there is only a dynamic library for a particular call. Is there a way to ask the linker to use static libraries when possible and report the dynamic libraries that are needed to complete the linking process?

Patrick Weaver
China Lake, CA
Voice: (760) 939-8744
Email: john.p.weaver(at)navy.mil