[DUG] Delphi linker and library units

[Dennis Chuah]

This is incorrect.  The compiler optimisation switch does not control how 
the linker works.  Basically any unit level procedures and functions or 
symbol that are not referred to are removed by the linker, optimisation or 
not.  All static or class methods are similarly treated.  Any virtual or 
dynamic methods, even private ones, are NOT elliminated by the linker and 
will always be included.  Code in the initialization section and in the DPR 
is always included.

In a DPK, the whole DCU is included.

Related ... all class data members are always created when a class is 
constructed, even unused private members.

>From: Kyley Harris <KyleyHarris at gmail.com>
>Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 15:01:45 +1200
>
>Delphi links the entire DCU into the application. The idea is to keep dcu's 
>as concise as necessary, and to remove
>unneeded ones from the uses clauses. with Optimization turned on when you 
>compile a dcu it will remove any
>lines of code that are perceived as unnecessary to the application.
>
>John Bird wrote:
>
>>A question about how Delphi works...
>>
>>1 - Main question is about Library routines.  I maintain a library unit 
>>with
>>a lot of (non-visual) procedures and functions for various miscellaneous
>>tasks - date formatting, number formatting, file i/o etc.  Some 70 
>>routines
>>and growing.  Now when I use this unit in a program, does (a) everything 
>>in
>>the unit get compiled and linked in, or (b) is it smart enough just to get
>>just the code called (including library procedures called from another
>>called from the program).  I have come from another language where it 
>>always
>>did (b), hoping Delphi is as smart.  If not, then I need to separate my
>>library procedures into smaller logically related units rather than one
>>humungous big unit with everything in it to avoid the programs getting
>>bloated with non-used code.
>>
>>John B
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>>
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>>
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