Is Linking C 17, C 14, and C 11 Objects Safely Possible?

Safety of Linking C 17, C 14, and C 11 Objects

Linking objects compiled with different C standards can raise questions about the safety of combining those objects into a single binary. The following analysis explores the specific implications of linking C 17, C 14, and C 11 objects.

GCC-Specific Considerations

For GCC, linking any combination of objects compiled with the C 11, C 14, or C 17 standards is safe. This is because GCC ensures ABI compatibility between these different standards when compiled with the same version.

However, linking objects compiled with different GCC versions, even if the standard version is the same, can lead to issues if unstable features from a newer standard were used. For example, compiling objects with GCC 4.9 and GCC 5 using the C 11 standard may result in incompatibility due to experimental C 11 support in GCC 4.x.

Other Compilers

Details regarding safety may vary across different compilers. It is recommended to consult the documentation for the specific compiler being used.

Caveats

When using GCC, ensure the shared library (libstdc .so) is at least as new as the version used to compile any of the linked objects. Additionally, conflicting implementations of std::string can coexist in the same binary, so strive for consistency in their usage across objects.

Summary

Linking objects compiled with C 17, C 14, and C 11 using the same compiler version is generally safe. However, potential compatibility issues exist when linking objects compiled with different compiler versions or using unstable features from newer standards. Consult the relevant documentation for specific compiler requirements.

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