Shared Library

Definitions

1. A compiled library (`.so` on Linux, `.dylib` on macOS, `.dll` on Windows) that is loaded into memory once by the OS and mapped into the address space of every process that needs it, saving memory and allowing updates without recompiling dependent binaries.

   In plain English: A reusable code library that multiple programs share in memory instead of each having their own copy.

   Example: "The app crashed with 'libssl.so.1.1 not found' because the shared library was removed during the OpenSSL upgrade."

Related Terms

• C Backend
• GLib
• GObject
• Header File
• Linux Kernel
• Network Stack
• OS Thread
• Physical Memory