I might have the answer. I did this when I was creating a .exe console application that needed a .dll file. I ran into the problem as well. When I tried the IMPLIB application, it couldn't find any export files. You need to add an #ifdef FILENAME_EXPORTS (replace FILENAME with your .dll file name) and create an _API. Here is the code for the #ifdef export api commands:
#ifdef FILENAME_EXPORTS
#define FILENAME_API __declspec(dllexport)
#else
#define FILENAME_API __declspec(dllimport)
#endif
Now that you have the Export API defined, you need to apply it to all the functions in your header file in the .dll project. For example:
void FILENAME_API function();
Declare your export functions normally, but include the API between the declarer type and the function name.
For defining the function in the .cpp file in the .dll project, you don't need the API in the declaration.
Here is an example of filename.h and filename.cpp with all the code.
// Code for filename.h
#pragma once
// Define your Export API
#ifdef FILENAME_EXPORTS
#define FILENAME_API __declspec(dllexport)
#else
#define FILENAME_API __declspec(dllimport)
#endif
// Declare your functions with your API
void FILENAME_API function1();
void FILENAME_API function2();
void FILENAME_API function3();
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
// Code for filename.cpp
#include <iostream>
#include "pch.h"
#include "filename.h"
using namespace std;
void function1()
{
cout << "Hello Function1!";
}
void function2()
{
cout << "Hello Function2!";
}
void function3()
{
cout << "Hello Function3!";
}
Now when you compile the project, you should see the .dll, .lib, and .exp files in the folder where the compiled files are saved to. Now you can link the .exe file with the .lib file. You're Welcome!
