/MD vs. /MT: Which C Runtime Library Should You Choose?

Choosing Between /MD and /MT: A Comprehensive Guide

Visual Studio offers the compile flags /MD and /MT, which allow developers to select the type of C runtime library to incorporate into their applications. While the implementation differences between these flags are known, the choice between them remains uncertain. This article aims to explore the advantages and disadvantages of each option, providing insights into their implications.

Dynamic Linking (/MD)

By using dynamic linking with /MD, several benefits arise:

• Access to System Updates: The runtime library is dynamically linked, allowing for system updates that potentially enhance security or functionality.
• Smaller Executables: Dynamic linking eliminates the need to embed the library within the executable, reducing its size.
• Shared Code Segment: The code segment of a DLL sharing among active processes minimizes RAM consumption.

Static Linking (/MT)

Static linking with /MT brings its own set of attributes and potential drawbacks:

• Application Independence: The runtime library is statically linked, making the application independent of external updates or DLLs, ensuring stability.
• Larger Executables: The runtime library is fully integrated with the executable, resulting in a larger file size.
• Potential Conflicts: Static linking multiple times can lead to conflicts, especially if different versions of the C runtime are involved.

Performance Considerations

Build times for /MT are generally slower compared to /MD, as the entire runtime library is incorporated into the executable during compilation.

Popularity and Recommendations

Among developers, /MD is typically favored due to its benefits in terms of updates, smaller executables, and shared memory. However, for applications that require complete control over the runtime environment or that interact with statically-linked 3rd-party libraries, /MT may be the preferred choice to minimize conflicts.

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