dcr/docs/dependencies-and-build/compilers-and-linking.md

Compilers & linking

Compiler backend selection

DCR picks a backend from build.compiler:

• contains clang-cl -> MSVC backend
• contains gcc or g++ -> GCC backend
• contains clang or clang++ -> Clang backend
• equals cl or contains msvc -> MSVC backend
• otherwise -> Clang backend fallback

Compilation model

• Source files are found recursively in src/ based on build.language.
• Each source is compiled to target/<profile>/obj/<relative-path>.o (.obj on MSVC).
• Recompile happens when source mtime is newer than object mtime.

Linking

For kind = "bin":

• Object files are linked into executable artifact.
• Dependency lib dirs and library names are passed to linker.
• build.ldflags are appended to link command.

For kind = "staticlib":

• Linux/macOS (GCC/Clang): ar rcs creates .a archive.
• Windows (MSVC): lib creates .lib archive.