The ease of downloading precompiled binaries.

[Jan Stary]

On Mar 04 10:19:51, keybounce at gmail.com wrote:
> I was able to download a precompiled binary for ffmpeg, and ffprobe.
> In both cases, it was a single file. In both cases it just worked.

Good.

> Right now, trying to deal with a current version that won't compile,

Current version of what? Upstream ffmepg? The ffmpeg port?
Why do you need this current version, as opposed to
the precompiled one which just works for you?

> and past versions that are linked against different versions of libraries,

Why do you want/need past versions of ffmpeg?
Where do you get them (if you mean precompiled)?;
Of course they are linked against different verions of the libraries.

> Why is it not possible to just ask for "link against
> whatever version of this library is current"?

It is. You have to compile it yourself.
The precompiled ffmpeg is already linked against
whichever version of whatever library it is linked against.

> Why, if I have to link against one exact specific version of a library
> at one exact location, can I not just make it a static link?

You always link to one specific library at one exact location.
You can link staticaly if you want; MP links dynamically.