title: Compiler Libraries vs. Operating System Libraries
body: <p>I noticed that both my compiler (<strong>MinGW</strong>) and the <strong>Windows 8 SDK</strong> come with the same libraries, save the naming conventions (i.e. <code>win32.lib</code> on the Windows 8 SDK is <code>libwin32.a</code> in the MinGW libraries). </p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Do all compilers come with libraries such as these? </li>
  <li>Are these libraries for multiple operating systems? </li>
  <li>What is the difference (if any) between the libraries that come with the Windows 8 SDK and those that come with the compiler?</li>
  </ul>