A static link library is an archive file that contains pre-compiled object files, which are linked directly into the main program at compile-time. The contents of a static link library are copied verbatim into the main program’s executable file.
Characteristics:
Linked into the program at compile-time
Copied directly into the executable file
Does not require additional loading or linking at runtime
All dependencies are resolved at compile-time
Example: A libmath.a static library contains pre-compiled math functions, which can be linked to a C program at compile-time.