What is the difference between Cocoa framework and C static library?

Question

Can someone explain to me the fundamental differences between the Cocoa framework and the C static library?

In particular, I find out that in both cases I have to refer to the file (.framework or .a) in the "Link to binary files with libraries" section for my purpose in Xcode.

However, I don't seem to need to put .a in Copy Files. I only need to paste .framework into "Copy Files". What is the reason for this difference?

Answer 1

A static library is actually compiled as part of your application, while the structure is distributed with your application (or the system framework is already present) and linked dynamically. Also see this question .