Adding a simple working example for exporting a C++ class from a DLL :
The given below example gives you only a short overview of how dll and exe can interact each other (self explanatory ) but it needs more things to add for changing into a production code.
Full sample example is divided in to two part
A. Creating a .dll library (MyDLL.dll)
B. Creating an Application which uses .dll library (Application).
A. .dll project file (MyDLL.dll):
1. dllHeader.h
#ifdef MYDLL_EXPORTS
#define DLLCALL __declspec(dllexport) /* Should be enabled before compiling
.dll project for creating .dll*/
#else
#define DLLCALL __declspec(dllimport) /* Should be enabled in Application side
for using already created .dll*/
#endif
// Interface Class
class ImyMath {
public:
virtual ~ImyMath() {;}
virtual int Add(int a, int b) = 0;
virtual int Subtract(int a, int b) = 0;
};
// Concrete Class
class MyMath: public ImyMath {
public:
MyMath() {}
int Add(int a, int b);
int Subtract(int a, int b);
int a,b;
};
// Factory function that will return the new object instance. (Only function
// should be declared with DLLCALL)
extern "C" /*Important for avoiding Name decoration*/
{
DLLCALL ImyMath* _cdecl CreateMathObject();
};
// Function Pointer Declaration of CreateMathObject() [Entry Point Function]
typedef ImyMath* (*CREATE_MATH) ();
2. dllSrc.cpp
#include "dllHeader.h"
// Create Object
DLLCALL ImyMath* _cdecl CreateMathObject() {
return new MyMath();
}
int MyMath::Add(int a, int b) {
return a+b;
}
int MyMath::Subtract(int a, int b) {
return a-b;
}
B. Application Project which load and link the already created .dll file:
#include <iostream>
#include <windows.h>
#include "dllHeader.h"
int main()
{
HINSTANCE hDLL = LoadLibrary(L"MyDLL.dll"); // L".\Debug\MyDLL.dll"
if (hDLL == NULL) {
std::cout << "Failed to load library.\n";
}
else {
CREATE_MATH pEntryFunction = (CREATE_MATH)GetProcAddress(hDLL,"CreateMathObject");
ImyMath* pMath = pEntryFunction();
if (pMath) {
std::cout << "10+10=" << pMath->Add(10, 10) << std::endl;
std::cout << "50-10=" << pMath->Subtract(50, 10) << std::endl;
}
FreeLibrary(hDLL);
}
std::cin.get();
return 0;
}
