How do I link against libtool static la library?

Question

I have compiled this library successfully. It generates a libcds2.la file that I am trying to link into my own project. I have all files (including the .h file) in the same directory as my project file. When I try to link and use the functions of said library, using:

g++ -o test -I/opt/include/ -L/opt/lib/ -lcds2 libcdsNoptrs.cpp util.cpp

comes back with

./test: error while loading shared libraries: libcds2.so.2: 
      cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

whatever that is. But the point is that most of the time it just doesn't recognize the library. I assume I'm doing something wrong with the file paths, but can't figure it out. My test file is a C++ file including #include "libcds2/array.h" and everything is installed in opt/lib, opt/include, ugly, I know, but that's what the Makefile generated.

Any pointers?

Answer 1

The libtool .la is a 'meta data' file. After building the cds2 library, it's expected that libtool will also be used in 'link' mode to build any of the package's tests, etc.

Typically, the in the directory you find the .la file, you will find the .a and .so under the .libs subdirectory. The .libs/libcds2.a file will be found there, provided configure was given the --enable-static option (or it is enabled by default). But, my understanding is that you've installed the package in /opt :

g++ -I/opt/include/ libcdsNoptrs.cpp util.cpp -o test /opt/lib/libcds2.a

Otherwise, if libcds2 isn't installed, just supply a path to: .../libcds2/lib/.libs/libcds2.a

Unless you want to use libtool in --link mode with -static to handle everything. But learning the advantages of libtool is usually an exercise for a rainy day:)