Mergeable Libraries for Fast Debug Builds and Independent Releases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack the flexibility to dynamically or statically link libraries without recompiling, leading to inefficiencies in build times and resource usage, particularly in debug and release builds.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses metadata to determine whether a library is 'mergeable', allowing it to be linked dynamically or statically during the build process, while maintaining consistent semantics between linking types, thus optimizing compilation for different build types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a library is statically linked by copying contents into the target binary, then the executable can run without external library files, but the build size increases and build time increases due to merging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between static and dynamic linking based on the build configuration. A mergeable library flag and build type detection enable the linker to automatically choose the appropriate linking strategy: dynamic linking for debug builds (faster builds) and static linking for release builds (independent executables), thus resolving the contradiction between build speed and executable independence
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the linking parameter (static vs dynamic) based on the build type parameter. By detecting whether the build is in debug or release mode, the system adjusts the linking behavior accordingly, allowing fast dynamic linking during development and independent static linking for deployment, thereby balancing build time and executable reliability
2Productivity
If a library is dynamically linked with references resolved at runtime, then build time is faster, but the target library must be present on-disk and the system must resolve symbols during execution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the symbol resolution complexity from the runtime system and relocates it to build time. By using a mergeable library flag to identify candidate libraries and pre-resolving symbols during the linking phase, the system eliminates the need for complex runtime symbol resolution while maintaining fast build times, thus reducing runtime system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs symbol resolution and library merging as preliminary actions during the build process rather than at runtime. By detecting mergeable libraries and completing the merging operation before execution, the invention eliminates the need for runtime library loading and symbol resolution, thereby reducing runtime system complexity while preserving build speed
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports both static and dynamic linking options, then flexibility is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional configuration and detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service mechanisms to automatically detect and configure linking types. The mergeable library flag on library objects and automatic build type detection enable the linker to autonomously determine the appropriate linking strategy without requiring explicit user configuration, thus maintaining flexibility while minimizing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism (the mergeable library flag and build type detector) that mediates between the library objects and the linker. This intermediary automatically translates library characteristics and build configuration into appropriate linking decisions, providing flexibility while simplifying the overall system by centralizing the decision-making logic
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using mergeable libraries. One of the methods includes during a build of an executable target, generating the executable target by merging the executable target with data for a library that was previously linked with the executable target.