title: How to use a library with headers and .so files?
body: <p>I'm new to C and wanted to use a library (<a href="http://www.mltframework.org/" rel="noreferrer">MLT Multimedia Framework</a>)</p>
  
  <p>I've built it and it produced the following directories: <code>include</code>  <code>lib</code>  <code>share</code></p>
  
  <p>Inside <code>lib</code> there are <code>.so</code> <code>.a</code> <code>.la</code> files<br>
  Inside <code>include</code> there are <code>.h</code> files</p>
  
  <p>Now, I'm instructed to do this:</p>
  
  <p><code>#include &lt;framework/mlt.h&gt;</code> which is inside <code>include/mlt/framework/</code> </p>
  
  <h2>Questions:</h2>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Why I do I need to place the header file that contains only function prototypes? Where are the real functions then? are they linked someway to the ones included in <code>lib</code> directory?</li>
  <li>Where to place my own files and <strong>how to compile it</strong>?</li>
  <li>How to learn more about the topics:
  
  <ul>
  <li>Dynamic/Static libraries</li>
  <li>Building / making / installing</li>
  <li>How to use any C library  </li>
  </ul></li>
  </ul>