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Exporting '& Importing classes and functions when building multiple DLLs

Posted by Xiangyang (Sean) Liu on April 18th, 1999
Randy More's previous article (posted on March 8, 1998) provided a solution to solve the problem of using one extension dll in another. Basically, he suggested that we redefine the macro AFX_EXT_CLASS in one dll's header file before including a header file for classes exported by a second dll , and restore the previous macro definition afterwards.

His solution does not work in the situation where dll A uses classes in dll B and dll B also uses classes in dll A. I have found a much simpler solution which solves these problems elegantly.

Suppose we want to build a dll called MyDllA. First we define the following macros: 


#ifdef BUILD_MYDLLA
#define MYDLLA_EXPORT __declspec(dllexport) 
#else
#ifdef USE_MYDLLA
#define MYDLLA_EXPORT __declspec(dllimport)
#else
#define MYDLLA_EXPORT 
#endif
#endif
Then we declare classes, functions, and data in MyDllA using the macro MYDLLA_EXPORT, for example: 

class MYDLLA_EXPORT MyClass
{
...
};
When compiling MyDllA, we define the macro BUILD_MYDLLA in the project setting. When compiling a dll that uses classes in MyDllA, we define the macro USE_MYDLLA in its project setting. The same trick can be applied when build MyDllB, MyDllC, etc. Note that the source code doesn't have to be changed if we decide to make MyDllA a static library instead (in that case, don't define the macros BUILD_MYDLLA and USE_MYDLLA when compiling the project).

Date Last Updated: April 18, 1999

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    Reply

  • Exporting C++ classes using .def files.

    Posted by shalmi on 09/21/2007 01:18am

    Hi, .def files are used when we do not want to use __declspec(dllexport). But how can we export whole class using .def files? I tried to do so but then there is linking error in .def file for constructor and destructors. Why so? Is there any solution to this? Thanks in advance.

    Reply

  • Very good!!!

    Posted by Legacy on 09/01/2003 12:00am

    Originally posted by: CarioLee

    Very good!!!Worked well!

    Reply

  • Export class from DLL

    Posted by Legacy on 08/25/2002 12:00am

    Originally posted by: Jonathan Liu

    I try to export a class containing a template member function. I got "error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol ..." linking error when compiling a exe using that dll. Appriciate any idea to solve the problem!

    Reply

  • A good web link for DLL Exporting & Importing

    Posted by Legacy on 08/20/2002 12:00am

    Originally posted by: Tiny Young 

    /*http://www.pgh.net/~newcomer/ultimateheaderfile.htm*/

    //your MyDll.h

    #ifndef _DEFINE_EBE7C480_A601_11d4_BC36_006067709674_

    #define _DEFINE_EBE7C480_A601_11d4_BC36_006067709674_

    #if _MSC_VER>1000

    	#pragma once

    #endif

    #ifdef __cplusplus

    extern "C" {

    #endif //__cpluspuls

    #ifndef _INTERFACE_

    	#define INTERFACE __declspec(dllexport)

    #else

    	#define INTERFACE __deslspec(dllimport)

    #endif //_INTERFACE_

    //:-)


    INTERFACE  WINAPI BOOL StartService();

    #undef INTERFACE

    #ifdef __cplusplus

    }

    #endif //__cplusplus

    #endif //_DEFINE_EBE7C480_A601_11d4_BC36_006067709674_

    ...;


    //your MyDll.cpp

    #include"stdafx.h"

    #define _INTERFACE_

    #inlcude"MyDll.h"

    extern "C" __declspec(dllexport) WINAPI BOOL StartService()

    {}

    ...;


    //your App.cpp

    #include"stdafx.h"

    #include"MyDll.h"

    ...;


    Sorry ,my english is very poor!

    Reply

  • A Example pleae

    Posted by Legacy on 10/06/2001 12:00am

    Originally posted by: Henry Casta�eda 

    Hellow, I am from Lima-Peru (South America) , my name is Henry Casta�eda, I was read your article "Exporting & Importing classes and functions when building multiple DLLs " this is just I needed, please I need a example of this article.

     I need a dll_A  call and use a object.method of  other dll_B, but my dll_A call this from a function .

     Please help me,:

     Thanks You

    Reply

  • C++, classes, DLLs and destructor

    Posted by Legacy on 05/18/2001 12:00am

    Originally posted by: Christophe

    Hello,

    I have some problems with DLL:
    I am creating a DLL which have a class definition (C++).
    All is working (export, import, and execution) but when the destructor is called, I've got an error message (EAccessViolation...)

    Please!! I need some help.

    Christophe (France).

    Reply

  • exporting a class from a DLL

    Posted by Legacy on 03/12/2001 12:00am

    Originally posted by: Jason 

    I'm building a class (in Visual C++ 5.0) for complex

    variables called Complex.  It's not a class template, but

    its member functions do use functions from an external

    static library.  I have a header file that contains the

    following:


    #ifndef importexport_h

    #define importexport_h


    #ifdef _IMPORTEXPORT

       #define IMPORTEXPORT_CLASS_DECL     __declspec(dllexport)

    #else

       #define IMPORTEXPORT_CLASS_DECL     __declspec(dllimport)

    #endif


    #endif


    This code is #included into my Complex.h file.  Then I use

    the following to declare the class in Complex.h:


    class IMPORTEXPORT_CLASS_DECL Complex

    {

    // a bunch of data members and member functions

    };


    Then, of course, the Complex.cpp file contains the member

    functions' definitions.


    I have no problem compiling this class into a DLL, but when

    I compile an executable that uses this DLL, I get errors

    like

    main.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external

    symbol "__declspec(dllimport) public: __thiscall

    Complex::Complex(float,float)" (__imp_??0Complex@@QAE@MM@Z)


    I'm quite sure that I have the correct directories listed

    in the Project Settings and the Tools Options.  What might

    be the problem?

    Reply

  • Exporting DLL's and headers

    Posted by Legacy on 05/26/2000 12:00am

    Originally posted by: IMAD MURAD

    I am working on an image processing software written in visual C++ 6.0

    One problem I am having is with the _export statement. Replaciong it with _declspec(dllexport)is not solving my problem.

    Can someone help me correct the code in the following line

    long FAR PASCAL _export ImageWndProc (HWND, UINT, UINT, LONG);

    I think that is the reason why it is also giving me an error saying " huge is obsolete"

    SOS

    Reply

  • How to use class used in my extension DLL in my VC++ Application?

    Posted by Legacy on 05/12/2000 12:00am

    Originally posted by: Revati

    I have made an extension DLL with shared MFC support. It has COM support also as I have imported msado15.dll in it.

    Now I want to use this DLL in my application. But whenever I #include .h files in my application or try to import my DLL in my stdafx.h compiler gives me DLL not found error. I have corretly included DLL in Systems directory and .lib file in project settings.

    If anybody has solution to this please mail me.

    Thanking you all in advance.

    Reply

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