Include an external library in my .lib file

[Stewbond]

I'm using MS Visual 2010 and I've created a static library (.lib). Now, my library uses #include <winsock2.h> in one of the header (.hpp) files. This means that I need to link ws2_32.lib when I compile.

Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to link ws_32.lib to my project when the configuration is set to "Static Library". As a result, I need to link both my .lib file and ws2_32.lib in any projects that use my static library as seen below:

$(SolutionDir)$(Configuration)\MyLibrary.lib
ws2_32.lib

This is an acceptable temporary solution, however I'd like to somehow link ws_32.lib in my library so that a user does not need to link to both libraries on their side. Does anyone know how to do this?

Help!

[S6k9GNh0]

I've gone through this. Most people just say, "Just do what works here" because doing otherwise is simply a hassle. In reality, copying stub symbols from ws2_32.lib into your library is inefficient anyways.

[Stewbond]

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Is including winsock2.h the same as copying stub symbols? If so, what would you recommend as an alternative?

Edit: Keywords are acceptable. That'll give me something that I can at least search.

[Stewbond]

I found the solution:

In my static library project I had to go to:

Menu: Project > Properties > Configuration Properties > Librarian > General > Additional Dependencies > Edit

In this box I had to add ws2_32.lib.

Ta da! ws2_32.lib is now contained in my lib so the end user does not need to link this themselves. Horray!

[Duthomhas]

You should be aware that doing that has legal implications when it comes to distributing your code binary libraries. Since you are linking against a library everyone with a Windows machine has, it seems to me that you are spending too much time worrying about it... IMHO.