Can you explain what a static library is in programming?

A static library is a collection of compiled functions and data that are linked with a program at compile-time or link-time. Unlike dynamic libraries, a static library is directly included in the executable file, making the program self-contained and not requiring external dependencies during runtime.

Example: In C/C++, a static library typically has the extension .lib (Windows) or .a (Linux). During compilation, you specify to the linker to use this library, and all necessary functions are copied into the final executable.