5.2. Binary library formats
Binary libraries are available in different formats, depending on the C
compiler used to build it and of course the platform they were built for.
If you have installed unix binary libraries on your system, they will
match the C compiler. If not already installed, the libraries should be
available as a package from the platform installer, or you can download
and compile the source and then install the binaries.
Most of the Win32 binary libraries you will find on the web are in this
format. You will recognize MSVC libraries by the .lib/.dll file extension.
Cygwin provides most of the required libraries (with file extension .a or .lib)
for Wireshark suitable for cygwin's gcc compiler.