Click here to Skip to main content
Licence 
First Posted 5 Jun 2002
Views 190,074
Bookmarked 48 times

Exporting C++ classes without using MFC extension DLL

By | 5 Jun 2002 | Article
This article describes the process of exporting regular C++ classes without using MFC extension DLLs

Introduction

DLLs are a great way of sharing common pieces of code data between applications. When it comes down to exporting C++ classes from DLLs most of us go for MFC extension DLLs where we can use the AFX_EXT_CLASS macro to export an entire class. Unfortunately, MFC is no lean and mean class architecture, which means that distributing MFC extension DLLs mean that you have to include the big MFC runtime not to mention the fact that your DLL can only be linked to MFC applications exclusively. What's the solution then? Enter standard Win32 DLLs.

Details

I couldn't believe my eyes on how easily one can export C++ classes directly from a plain vanilla Win32 DLL. Just make one and insert your classes into the DLL. Now simply put __declspec(dllexport) in between the class keyword and the class name, i.e.

// in your header...

class __declspec(dllexport) CDllTest
{
public:  
  CDllTest(){}
  ~CDllTest(){}

public:
  void SayHello();
};

// in your cpp...

void CDllTest::SayHello()
{
 printf(_T("Hello C++"));
}

That's it! The sample code and project are pretty self explanatory. Enjoy.

License

This article has no explicit license attached to it but may contain usage terms in the article text or the download files themselves. If in doubt please contact the author via the discussion board below.

A list of licenses authors might use can be found here

About the Author

Tanzim Husain

Web Developer

United States United States

Member



Sign Up to vote   Poor Excellent
Add a reason or comment to your vote: x
Votes of 3 or less require a comment

Comments and Discussions

 
You must Sign In to use this message board. (secure sign-in)
 
Search this forum  
 FAQ
    Noise  Layout  Per page   
  Refresh
QuestionI got lilnker error LN2019 PinmemberVivek_Mendse18:52 10 Nov '11  
QuestionReally - that simple? PinmemberVaclav_Sal8:48 4 Feb '11  
GeneralUsing dll Pinmembers_t_r_e_a_m_e_r1:19 18 Nov '07  
QuestionHow can I use a class exported from a DLL by using LoadLibrary function Pinmemberzhoujinjun08584:22 27 Aug '07  
AnswerRe: How can I use a class exported from a DLL by using LoadLibrary function Pinmemberafriza16:44 2 Dec '08  
GeneralGreat! Pinmemberdocrob117:48 25 Jan '07  
Wink | ;) I suppose I'm too much of a beginner, but I really gained a lot from your article. Thanks for presenting a simple solution to a common problem.
 
docrob1
Generaldelete cuases access violation Pinmembertom cruz2:35 18 Aug '05  
GeneralRe: delete cuases access violation PinmemberIgen17:14 9 Mar '09  
Generalqn PinsussFrom_Nepal8:00 6 Jan '05  
GeneralLoad at runtime PinmemberVerifier4:30 16 Apr '04  
GeneralRe: Load at runtime PinmemberThatsAlok22:32 20 Apr '06  
QuestionHow to create DllTest.dll and DllTest.lib in VC7.0 PinmemberSctt H. Chang10:11 31 Mar '04  
AnswerRe: How to create DllTest.dll and DllTest.lib in VC7.0 PinsussAnonymous23:26 17 Apr '04  
Questionis it mean that regular DLL can replace extension DLL every time? Pinmemberdalink6:00 6 Mar '04  
GeneralA slight correction and enhancement PinPopularmemberDavid Pritchard7:31 29 May '03  
Questionhow to insert a class from MFC to C# Pinmembermosgeorge3:49 13 Apr '03  
AnswerRe: how to insert a class from MFC to C# PinmemberTanzim Husain20:54 23 Apr '03  
AnswerRe: how to insert a class from MFC to C# PinmemberTakeru Koushirou21:31 27 Jun '04  
GeneralRe: how to insert a class from MFC to C# Pinmembercharnos6:49 13 Aug '04  
Generalany Info about Proxy DLL (Trojan DLL) Pinmemberbfadi10:24 5 Mar '03  
GeneralRe: any Info about Proxy DLL (Trojan DLL) PinmemberTanzim Husain21:14 23 Apr '03  
GeneralRe: any Info about Proxy DLL (Trojan DLL) PinmembergypsySUN18:11 17 Oct '03  
GeneralRe: any Info about Proxy DLL (Trojan DLL) Pinmemberbfadi20:42 18 Oct '03  
GeneralRe: any Info about Proxy DLL (Trojan DLL) PinmembergypsySUN5:27 21 Oct '03  
GeneralRe: any Info about Proxy DLL (Trojan DLL) Pinmemberbfadi19:57 21 Oct '03  

General General    News News    Suggestion Suggestion    Question Question    Bug Bug    Answer Answer    Joke Joke    Rant Rant    Admin Admin   

Use Ctrl+Left/Right to switch messages, Ctrl+Up/Down to switch threads, Ctrl+Shift+Left/Right to switch pages.

Permalink | Advertise | Privacy | Mobile
Web02 | 2.5.120529.1 | Last Updated 6 Jun 2002
Article Copyright 2002 by Tanzim Husain
Everything else Copyright © CodeProject, 1999-2012
Terms of Use
Layout: fixed | fluid