Baslinux mailing list

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Sindi Keesan wrote:
> 
> So you could run just statically compiled programs 
> and have NO libraries?

Yes.  If you have a spare copy of BL3 (fs.img) to
experiment with, delete all the libraries (in /lib).
It will still boot and run.  Some binaries will not
work because they depend on libc5, but the base 
system will work.  You can even run an Xterminal
(startxt).

> But probably need a larger hard disk to hold the 
> larger programs.  

If you use uClibc to compile the static binaries,
it's not too bad.  Does BL3 seem overlarge?  Until
now did you realize the base system was static?

Naturally, if you have many static binaries, there
is a lot of redundancy (as each binary builds in 
the same library routines).  However, with a small 
installation and uClibc, the overhead is not too
onerous.

> Do such programs include the entire library or 
> just part of it?

Just the parts they use.  A library is just a collection
of often-used routines.  A static compile hard-codes the
routines into the binary.  A dynamic compile saves space
by putting in a call to the library instead of putting 
in the actual routine.

> I presume you would need to first mount the drive it 
> appears on.

Unless you are putting it on the root filesystem or
other already-mounted filesystem.

Cheers,
Steven