Stopping others using my dll

[lloydy]

Hi,

If I release a program that has a number of dlls (written in VC++.Net), is it possible for other users to use the functions in the dlls in their own programs? I mean, could they import them into their own code and use them? If so is there a way to stop this?

Thanks

[MrViggy]

Hi,

If I release a program that has a number of dlls (written in VC++.Net), is it possible for other users to use the functions in the dlls in their own programs? I mean, could they import them into their own code and use them? If so is there a way to stop this?

Thanks
Sure, why not? As long as they pass in the proper parameters.

I suppose you could create a DLL that needs to be "initialized" with some kind of license key. Then, check for the license every time an exported function is called.

Viggy

[lloydy]

So if I don't export the function, only projects with the source code of the dll will be able to use them. Is that correct?

[MrViggy]

If you don't export the functions, nobody can use them. If you give/sell the source code, then there's no need for a DLL (one can just compile the source into their own apps statically).

Viggy

[Andy Tacker]

Well, that's not the real issue...
if he wont import the functions, he wont be able to use the dll functions...

one way is to use Obfusctors to avoid that.

no other way... :)