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DLLs in Visual C++

A dynamic-link library (DLL) is an executable file that acts as a shared library of functions. Dynamic linking provides a way for a process to call a function that is not part of its executable code. The executable code for the function is located in a DLL, which contains one or more functions that are compiled, linked, and stored separately from the processes that use them. DLLs also facilitate the sharing of data and resources. Multiple applications can simultaneously access the contents of a single copy of a DLL in memory.

Dynamic linking differs from static linking in that it allows an executable module (either a .dll or .exe file) to include only the information needed at run time to locate the executable code for a DLL function. In static linking, the linker gets all of the referenced functions from the static link library and places it with your code into your executable.

Using dynamic linking instead of static linking offers several advantages. DLLs save memory, reduce swapping, save disk space, upgrade easier, provide after-market support, provide a mechanism to extend the MFC library classes, support multilanguage programs, and ease the creation of international versions.

The following topics provide detailed information about programming DLLs.

In This Section

  • Using MFC as Part of a DLL
    Describes regular DLLs, which allow you to use the MFC library as part of a Windows dynamic-link library.

  • DLL Version of MFC
    Describes how you can use the MFCxx.dll and MFCxxD.dll (where x is the MFC version number) shared dynamic-link libraries with MFC applications and extension DLLs.

  • Common Programming Methodologies
    Provides links to topics describing conceptual information about the Visual C++ libraries and topics discussing various coding technologies and techniques.