> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/connectors/mariadb-connector-c/development.md).

# Development

MariaDB Connector/C enables C and C++ applications to establish client connections to MariaDB database products over TLS.

## Build Your Application with Connector/C

When you build a C application, your compiler must link your application with the MariaDB Connector/C shared library.

The following `gcc` ([GNU GCC](https://gcc.gnu.org/)) command demonstrates how to link an application with the MariaDB Connector/C shared library using the `mariadb_config` utility to determine the compiler arguments:

```bash
gcc -o example example.c $(mariadb_config --include --libs)
```

If you are not using the `gcc` compiler, please consult your compiler's manual.

### Header Files

MariaDB Connector/C includes several header files. In some cases, developers might find it useful to inspect the MariaDB Connector/C header files to view the definitions of structures, functions, and constants.

The header files:

* Contain the definitions of structures, functions, and constants.
* Are installed to the `/usr/include/mariadb/` directory by default on Linux for tarball and DEB packages. RPM packages install headers directly to `/usr/include/` instead.

C applications developed using MariaDB Connector/C must include the `mysql.h` header file.

<sub>*This page is: Copyright © 2025 MariaDB. All rights reserved.*</sub>

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