problem creating static library

[jeromecaron]

Hello,

I have a collection of .c and .h files that contains several functions.

When I try to create a static library (with project = static library), the file that is generated has the .a extension (as for Linux).
But I have Windows XP. :?
Then I cannot include it in a console application, I think I need a .lib file.
How should I set the code:blocks parameters to create the .lib file ?

I think there is something I am missing about the use of code:blocks.
(If this is only a programming issue, sorry for polluting the forum.)

Thanks for your help

Jerome

[oBFusCATed]

If you're using mingw, *.a file is OK...

What does it mean, you can't include it?
Look here for hints: http://wiki.codeblocks.org/index.php?title=FAQ#Q:_How_do_I_troubleshoot_an_compiler_problem.3F

[jeromecaron]

Well, I didn' t know it was possible to use the .a file with windows. This already helps.

To use the .a file I do it this way
- I create a console application project
- I include the .a file + all the headers (.h files)
- I also include a main.cpp program that mentions the headers to be able to use the functions
- I tells the linker to look for the .a file (Project --> Build options --> linker settings --> link libraries, in Debug mode)

Then at compilation

mingw32-g++.exe  -o bin\Debug\SigmaClipping2.exe obj\Debug\main.o obj\Debug\libcfitsio.o    "C:\Documents and Settings\Jerome Caron\Desktop\MODELS\CandC++projects\Audine\SigmaClipping2\libcfitsio.a"
mingw32-g++.exe: obj\Debug\libcfitsio.o: No such file or directory
Process terminated with status 1 (0 minutes, 0 seconds)
0 errors, 0 warnings

I don't understand why it is asking for the .o file. All the information should be in the library. So I thought it could be due to the fact that a .lib file is required.

What do you think ?

Jerome

[oBFusCATed]

- I include the .a file

What does that mean?
You add it to the project like you have added the *.h/*.c files?
If so that is quite wrong.

See "project -> build options -> linker -> link libraries"
and "project -> build options -> search dirs -> linker"

Also look here:
http://vladimir_prus.blogspot.com/2009/06/linking-101.html

[jeromecaron]

You are right,
when I remove the .a file that I included as the .cpp and .h, then it works ! 
And this makes sense, I understand my mistake.

Many thanks for your help,

(to the moderator = sorry for this post, I realize that it was in fact a basic programming issue)