Red Programming Language: Static linking support
The Red programming language project announces that its toolchain now supports static linking, allowing the Red runtime library to be directly embedded into executables. This eliminates the need for a separate Red runtime DLL, simplifying distribution and potentially improving performance for standalone applications.
Background
Red is a full-stack programming language designed to be lightweight and easy to embed, with a syntax influenced by Rebol. It compiles to a single small binary with no external dependencies. This article announces static linking support: you can now link C libraries (e.g., OpenSSL, SQLite) directly into a Red executable at compile time, rather than requiring separate .dll/.so files at runtime. This is significant for distribution and deployment because it means Red programs can ship as a single file that runs anywhere without needing the target system to have the right shared libraries installed. It also enables easier interoperability with the huge ecosystem of existing C code. The feature works via a declarative .redlink file format, and the article gives examples of binding to system libraries like libc and OpenSSL. For followers of systems programming and language design, this reduces a major friction point for adopting Red in production scenarios.