linker - Distribution and Linking of C Header Files and Libraries -

i brand new c programming (but not programming) , trying understand how libraries , header files work together, particularly respect packaging , distribution.

after reading this excellent question , answer, understand header file(s) act api library, exposing capabilities outside world; , library implementation of capabilities.

however 1 thing cannot seem find explanation of is: how header files packaged or distributed libraries?

• are libs , headers packaged archive (zip, tarball, etc.)?
• are headers compiled libs , distributed alongside them?

when #include "mylib.h", how linker know find:

1. the header file itself, mylib.h
2. the library implementing functions declared in mylib.h.

how linker know find: (1) header file itself, mylib.h

• with notation #include <mylib.h>, searches header file in system defined include path.
• with notation #include "mylib.h", searches header file in system defined include path , in current directory.

if header file present in other hierarchy, can provide path header file -i option gcc.

(2) library implementing mylib.h?

you need provide path library using -l (in case of non-standard path library) , link library using -l option.

as per convention, if (shared) library named libmylib.so, can use -lmylib link directory.

for example , consider pow() function.

it prototyped in math.h, in source file, need add #include <math.h> function declaration.

then, @ compile (rather, linking) time, need link "math" library using -lm function definition.