How do I use c libraries in in kotlin native take this one f

Question

How do I use c libraries in in kotlin native take this one for example <https github com libarchive libarchive> Is there a straightforward way to add this to my project with Gradle I ve seen some docs that say s manually downloading and make def file from header but I d like some automatic solution by version tag

jw · Answer

A download task and copy task to extract will get you very far toward only having a URL and a def file rather than checked in sources

Adam S · Answer

It s possible to download sources by defining an Ivy repo in Gradle This is pretty neat because you can then define a custom Configuration and use the Gradle `dependencies ` block with a git tag or version I use this in Dokkatoo to download the Dokka source code using a buildSrc convention plugin

Adam S · Answer

The most difficult thing with building C libraries for use in Kotlin Native is that they often need to be built using the gcc that Kotlin Native itself uses and it s a specific version that often isn t available to download I tried building rocksdb from sources for use in a K N project but I don t think I managed to get all platforms working The project is here if you d like to look <https github com aSemy kotlin on the rocksdb blob feat embedded static libs externals lib rocksdb build gradle kts|https github com aSemy kotlin on the rocksdb blob feat embedded static libs externals lib rocksdb build gradle kts> Maybe it s easier for libarchive

cyberavater · Answer

Thanks bro I ll look into it and ask again if stuck

Matt Nelson · Answer

If you wanted to compile the C library as a static lib CKLib is where it s at It uses the kotlin llvm compiler and embeds the bitcode into the ` klib` <https github com touchlab cklib>

Matt Nelson · Answer

Here s an example of compiling SQLite3MultipleCiphers for native targets <https github com toxicity io sqlite mc blob a6acef114e8c3d5ddc727c6d64bf799bcce34ae8 library driver build gradle kts L130>

cyberavater · Answer

< Matt Nelson> Hi thanks for the suggestion it seems like what I d need But one more thing that I d like to know is whether this klib will work on work on Android too via JNI maybe

Matt Nelson · Answer

For Jvm Android I use docker to compile native code See Usage Example