Mixing VC8 and VC9 Libs allowed?

KungFooMasta · Post by **KungFooMasta** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:04 pm

While I would like to build everything in vs2008 (VC9), the PhysX SDK is built with vs2005 (VC8). Would this cause any problems, using all vc9 compiled libs and used in combination with this vc8 lib?

Klaim · Post by **Klaim** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:20 pm

I'm assuming you're trying to use a vc8 dll (with provided .lib) with a vc9 application.
Last time i tried (yesterday), yes it was a problem as the vc8 lib file (provided with a dll) was not readable by vc9. (link error)

BUT before i tried, i though there was no problem as the .lib format would'nt have changed between versions, and i though i did this fine before.
So only one of the following is true :
1) I did something wrong;
2) I was wrong, the .lib format has changed between vc8 and vc9;
3) It depends on the content of the .lib or the way the .lib was generated;

Now, as i don't find just now the real answer on the net, maybe this site can help?

reptor · Post by **reptor** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:52 pm

I use Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition and PhysX.

I didn't notice any problems. Compiles and links fine.

But my application is relatively simple, so there can be some run-time problems? But I didn't encounter any this far.

If the problem would be purely a linking-time problem, then I can say I have not had any problems.

Post by **CABAListic** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:54 pm

Usually, a C library should be compatible between different compiler versions. You can even use DLLs generated by VS with MinGW and vice versa. C++ libs, however, must be matched with the exact same compiler that was used to generate them.

Klaim · Post by **Klaim** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 12:02 am

Aaaaah yes that's why i though i did this before, it was with a C lib so the compatibility is always right.

reptor · Post by **reptor** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 12:07 am

Erm, are you saying that it is not possible to use PhysX with Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition?

(I have used it so it is possible. Am I misunderstanding something horribly here?)

Klaim · Post by **Klaim** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:56 am

I asked help there http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1718 ... patibility

I can't find the microsoft page about lib compatibility, but i'm sure i've seen that before...

reptor · Post by **reptor** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 3:10 pm

Here

http://developer.nvidia.com/forums/inde ... ost&p=6219

a person from nvidia says that VS2008 should be OK.

I think of course it is OK, because I already used PhysX with VS2008 without problems

but couln't be totally sure if there aren't some "hidden" problems.

KungFooMasta · Post by **KungFooMasta** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:21 pm

Thanks for the information all. I guess Klaim's last link exposes a somewhat serious problem. I'll probably just wait it out, hopefully PhysX offers a vc9 sdk soon.

Klaim · Post by **Klaim** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:59 pm

Yep it don't seem officially supported...

reptor · Post by **reptor** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 4:02 pm

But why doesn't nvidia say that the PhysX SDK should be used with VS2005? I haven't seen any recommendation to do that from ageia/nvidia.

I think if that was important, it would be made clear in the documentation. In fact they go to the other direction, as I see it.

The documentation says, in Installation & Deployment - Compiler Setup that "If you are using a compiler other than VC++ 7 or 8, or if you would like to create a new project using the SDK, set it up as follows:"

Then add to that the comment made by the nvidia employee which I referenced in my previous post.

reptor · Post by **reptor** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 4:10 pm

And what kind of problems are you expecting? I have had zero problems with PhysX this far when using it together with libraries compiled with VS2008.

Klaim · Post by **Klaim** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:37 pm

I don't expect problems, all it seems you have to know is that there are cases where it just don't work (for some obscure reasons). So if it works with the PhysX dll, then it's a good thing.

I would have been happy if it worked with some other lib i use...