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kotlinlang

Hello,

Is there a possibility to generate a .dylib (or .so), which uses a header file but don’t include the library? I would like to compile a .dylib that will be used by Unity Engine. So I’ll be using the header file, but not it’s implementation, which will be provided by Unity.

I think the correct term is “linking”. I want to create a .dylib without linking its dependencies. (Like using `clang -c main.c` to generate the `.o` file).

I have no idea what I am talking about :sweat_smile:

You never need sources when linking dynamic lib. Just headers are fine

i.e. I believe you're already doing what you need without even realising

IIUC he wants not link, but build dynamic lib that will be linked to some application as plugin, and need to call some functions exported by that application.
But yes - there shouldn't be any problems, just .h and .def files should be enough.

Thanks for the answers! I’ll dig into it a little bit more later.

So when I try to compile use `linkNative` I get an error saying
```ld: symbol(s) not found for architecture x86_64```
But I don’t want it to try to include it.

Currently in Gradle I have something like this
```    macosX64("native") {
        compilations.getByName("main") {
            cinterops {
                val lib by creating {
                    defFile(project.file("src/nativeInterop/cinterop/lib/lib.def"))
                    compilerOpts("-Isrc/nativeInterop/cinterop/lib")
                    includeDirs.allHeaders("src/nativeInterop/cinterop/lib")
                }
            }
        }

        binaries {
            sharedLib {
                baseName = "MyLibrary"
            }
        }
    }```
What should I be doing that I am missing?

What is passed to linker if said .so/.dylib/.dll is written on some other language, not Kotlin?
Add same options in your .def file in `linkerOpts.linux` , `linkerOpts.osx`

To compile without linking I do (main includes lib.h)
```clang -c main.c```
Then when I want the bin
```clang main.o lib.dylib```

Fnally, I found what I needed:
```        binaries {
            sharedLib {
                baseName = "MyLibrary"
                linkerOpts("-Wl,-U,_add42")
            }
        }```
Then I was able to run
```clang main.o lib.o libMyLibrary.dylib```


I know this is old, but do you have any info that could help me set up using kotlin for unreal?