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How to add an external library(e.g. built by msp430-gcc) into IAR system for linkage?

Yiming Li
Prodigy 250 points

Hi TI,

We are using msp430-gcc provided by TI to build a static library, which is verified under linux enviroment. And Now we hope to link it inside IAR for MSP430.

We right click the group from the project tree window in the workspace, then "Add" -> "Add Files...."  select the libary, and add successfully like many source and header.. 

But when we perform a build then, there would be a lot of "Error[e46]: Undefined external ***** referenced in ...."  and it seems that we failed to add the library de-facto.

Does IAR for MSP support to link external bullt library?  If yes, how we could?

Thanks!

  • 0
    TI__Mastermind 28955 points

    Hello Yiming,

    I don't believe it is possible to use a library built with msp430-gcc in IAR because IAR has it's own MSP compiler.  The library would have to be built in IAR, and then use that library file for your IAR projects. 

    I found some information on IAR's website here: http://supp.iar.com/FilesPublic/UPDINFO/005691/arm/doc/infocenter/tutor_libraries.ENU.html#1072303 

    Your other option would be to use Code Composer Studio with the existing library.  

    Thanks,

    JD

  • 0 in reply to JD Crutchfield
    Prodigy 250 points

    Thanks!

    But this should not be the problem of IAR, since libaries built by keil and gcc could be used by IAR for ARM.

    Therefore, I asked this question from TI as per IAR for MSP430

  • 0 in reply to JD Crutchfield
    Prodigy 250 points

    Or, Do you know what is the option to explicitly link a libary by xLink.exe, which is the linkage tool used by IAR for MSP430. Possiblly we could add it into the extra options by option->linker->exttra options.

  • 0 in reply to Yiming Li
    TI__Mastermind 28955 points

    Yiming,

    I can't really speak for ARM, but I believe the difference here is that that compiler is the same for both IAR, gcc, and keil, etc. 

    In the case of MSP, this is not the case.  IAR has developed its own MSP compiler.  It appears that even the object file formats are different between IAR and gcc outputs. 

    Here is a conversation on this same topic on Stack Overflow: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9838400/iar-embedded-workbench-msp430-and-lib-files-linking 

    Thanks,

    JD

         

  • 0 in reply to JD Crutchfield
    Prodigy 250 points

    Very appreciated to your reply and information at first.

    IAR is just IDE enviroment  and user interface AFAIK, but how to compile and link is de-facto the work of toolchain, such as ?cc or ?link. IAR for MSP430 may use xLink for Link by TI, while IAR for ARM use a different linkagre excuatble. So how to support and the compilation and linkage results is de-factor are the work of such executables by the solution vendors, e.g. TI AFAIK.

    As per the IAR for ARM to link with external libary(e.g. built with keil or gcc), it is very simple, just "option->linker->libray" and you can add the external libary into your project, and you could see the linkage option added from the watch window during linking when you add libary.  However, there is no such a way and we don't know the xLink option for libary. However, it we use a libary built by IAR for MSP430, it could be added.

    That is, the original problem is not related to IAR, but releated to IAR for MSP430, possiblly not support to use external libray built with other tools such as gcc.

    Therefore, we think possible IAR for MSP430 is not so flexible like IAR for ARM or other tools to favore extern libraries built by other toolchain even with gcc-msp430. Meanwhile, we found that, libray built with IAR for MSP430 is rather big than normal wince a lot ot garbage readable info added compilation into the gernerated libary(but this issue is not present with gcc-msp430 downloaded from TI's website).  

    I guess, if the compilation and link executables inside IAR for MSP430  are provided by TI, TI should imporve the executables, or proivide portal to customers on how to solve or avoid it.  TI is a very good company, and if TI provide support to IAR even in a low proority than CCS(possiblly),  we think it should be good enough as well--My personal oppinion and expectation. :-)

  • 0 in reply to Yiming Li
    TI__Mastermind 28955 points

    Hello Yiming,

    Yiming Li said:
    if the compilation and link executables inside IAR for MSP430  are provided by TI

    In this case, the IAR MSP430 compiler and linker is owned, developed, and maintained by IAR and is not provided by TI.  It's a complete 3rd party solution and a very good one that has been used across the industry.    

    This does offer the benefit of choice to our customers, in which some cases the IAR compiler could offer a smaller or more efficient image when compiling the same firmware as gcc, etc. 

    In this specific case, there is a limitation, which is that you can't mix and match libraries built by completely independent develop tools.

    If you prefer the output size of the specific library you are working with from gcc, then you will need to compile the entire project with gcc. 

    Thanks,

    JD  

  • 0 in reply to JD Crutchfield
    TI__Mastermind 28955 points

    Yiming,

    Also, maybe I'm misunderstanding.  Is there a specific library that was built for gcc that you can't find an equivilent for IAR?  Or that you don't have the source to build the library in IAR?  

    I'm not sure if all TI libraries are available on both platforms, but the vast majority should be. Let me know and I can try and check.   

    Thanks,

    JD

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