Linux: C++ Abstract class as shared object API -

i read this article on c++ dll api-s. "c++ mature approach: using abstract interface" work on linux different compilers (exe , .so compiled different compilers)? couldn't find online confirms/denies linux systems. in article author says works windows because com technology works other compilers.

to understand question please read @ least "c++ mature approach" chapter of article.

yes , no.

there's no guarantee different compilers implement virtual function calls in returned interface class in same way - , if case fail catastrophically (or silently corrupt stuff ... more fun). if recal correctly - modern g++, clang , intel on linux seem handle same way , should interoperable @ level.

however there's further gotcha not mentioned in article, , applies both linux , windows. if take approach only things can pass

1. interfaces
2. simple types int
3. types control in memory layout.

this means cant have function in interface void withvector(std::vector<int> v) since different standard libraries of compilers may layout internals of vector differently. in fact can change between compiler versions, standard library versions, , compiler settings.

so you'll need create iintvector wraps std::vector , use withvector(iintvector& v).

you can run same issues if pass or return non-interface classes of own.

an old example bit me passing boost::shared_ptr between compilation units, in 1 case lock member in class , in other no lock existed - means objects had different expected sizes , resulted in (silent) stack corruption. fun whole development team.

i've found it's less error-prone use pure c bridge between 2 sides , provide utility layer in c++ dll creator can build , use calls pure c bridge. in c not trivial.

in c case still need watch out changes in data structures caused compiler settings (but rarer) , need careful 1 compiler doesn't insert padding structures other not.