ld cannot find file "-lz" when building

[mike malone]

I am running:
Redhat 9
gcc-3.2.2-5
python-2.4.1
MySQL 3.23.58

I have fixed the quote ' ' problems due to having an old version of MySQL, but now the linker is giving me problems:

---

unning build
running build_py
running build_ext
building '_mysql' extension
gcc -pthread -shared build/temp.linux-i686-2.4/_mysql.o -L/usr/lib/mysql -lmysqlclient -lz -lcrypt -lnsl -lm -lmysqlclient -o build/lib.linux-i686-2.4/_mysql.so
/usr/bin/ld: cannot find -lz
collect2: ld returned 1 exit status
error: command 'gcc' failed with exit status 1

---

It thinks the argument '-lz' is supposed to be a file, I think. Does anyone know how I can fix this? Please.
-Mike

[mike malone]

Andy,
You were right on- I was missing zlib-devel. It is probably pretty obvious how new I am at this. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for the direction. It can be rough trying to determine all the dependencies for someone who is new, and you saved me hours of frustration.

Thanks-
Mike

[Andy Dustman]

Well at least you read the bugs or the forums before posting...

1.2.1c3 did not fix this problem. After working through it with someone today, I've come to the conclusion that MySQL older than 4.0.16 does not support mysql_config --include. However, the include path is also included in --cflags, so I can pull it out of there. Hopefully I can put this problem to rest tonight.

You might have a different problem, though: Make sure you have zlib-devel installed on your system.