[pjmlp]

We had a time when static binaries where pretty much the only thing we had available.

Here is an idea, lets go back to pure UNIX distros using static binaries with OS IPC for any kind of application dynamism, I bet it will work out great, after all it did for several years.

Got to put that RAM to use.

[flohofwoe]

The thing with static linking is that it enables aggressive dead code elimination (e.g. DLL are a hard optimization barrier).

Even with multiple processes sharing the same DLL I would be surprised if the alternative of those processes only containing the code they actually need would increase RAM usage dramatically, especially since most processes that run in the background on a typical Linux system wouldn't event even need to go through glibc but could talk directly to the syscall interface.

DLLs are fine as operating system interface as long as they are stable (e.g. Windows does it right, glibc doesn't). But apart from operating system interfaces and plugins, overusing dynamic linking just doesn't make a lot of sense (like on most Linux systems with their package managers).

[pjmlp]

While at the same time it prevents extending applications, the alternatives being multiple processes using OS IPC, all of them much slower and heavier on resources than an indirect call on a dynamic library.

We started there in computing history, and outside Linux where this desire to go to the past prevails, moved on to better ways including on other UNIX systems.

[einpoklum]

> that it enables aggressive dead code elimination

But you still need the compiler of the library objects to place different functions and data items into different sections of your object, e.g.

  gcc -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections

if you want elimination from the executable binary file.

[jacquesm]

I've been static linking my executables for years. The downside, that you might end up with an outdated library, is no match for the upsite: just take the binary and run it. As long as you're the only user of the system and the code is your own you're going to be just fine.

[account42]

I don't think dynamic libraries fail at "utilizing" any available RAM.

[pjmlp]

Think of any program that uses dynamic libraries as extension mechanism, and now replace it with standard UNIX processes, each using any form of UNIX IPC to talk with the host process instead.

[account42]

In theory there might be a different RAM usage with the two approaches. In practice there is not.

[pjmlp]

And your measurements are available where?