How To Add a Dll TO MFC Application in visual Studio

[User 13439554]

you mean that i have loaded .dll file correctly and the error is because of somewhat like syntax error? but i have exactly copied the name of function in dll. i dont know why this error occurs

[Jochen Arndt]

To use functions from a DLL you have two choices: Early and late binding. Early binding: Link your application with the DLL by using the #import directive in one file (usually a source file using functions from the DLL) specifying the file name (usually without extension or with .lib), or add the .lib file to your project settings (Linker - Input). Include the header file and call the functions defined in that file. Late binding: This is only necessary if the DLL might not be present when your application is executed or you do not have a .lib file. Then use LoadLibrary and GetProcAddress like in your above example. But check both return values to be not NULL. Have a look at the header file (if present), to know how to define the function prototypes. Example:

typedef int (__stdcall *ConnectByAddressfuncPtr)(short Addr);

ConnectByAddressfuncPtr LibMainConnectByAddress = NULL;
HMODULE hLib = LoadLibrary(_T("mcl_gen.dll"));
if (hLib)
LibMainConnectByAddress = (ConnectByAddressfuncPtr)GetProcAddress(hLib,"ConnectByAddress");
if (LibMainConnectByAddress)
LibMainConnectByAddress(0x01);

Note that I have initialised the function pointer with NULL and checked it before calling the function. Note also the __stdcall in the prototype declaration. It defines the calling convention used by the DLL. You have to check which is used (by inspecting the header file or asking the provider). __stdcall is common but it might be also __cdecl.

[Lost User]

I have no idea why the error occurred, beyond saying that is is caused by a bad address reference somewhere. And the only way to find out where it occurred is by using the debugger. Are you certain that the parameter 0x01 that you send to the ConnectByAddress function is valid? Check the documentation to see what that function is supposed to do, and what it is supposed to return.

[User 13439554]

Hi. thank you for your answer. i dont have any .lib file i tried your code but "LibMainConnectByAddress" still remains NULL. so the code skips LibMainConnectByAddress(0x01); do you know why? thank you again

[Jochen Arndt]

All I can suggest is to check if the DLL exports the function "ConnectByAddress" (e.g. using the Dependency Walker (depends.exe) Home Page[^] or executing dumpbin /exports path_to_dll on the command line; dumpbin is in the VC/bin folder) and trying it with different calling conventions like __cdecl. I would use the Dependency Walker because it shows also the calling convention for the exported functions.

[Lost User]

Member 13471493 wrote:

"LibMainConnectByAddress" still remains NULL.

You omitted to mention that in your reply to me. If that function pointer is null then it will cause the error you have seen. You need to check the function name that you are trying to get the address for, does it actually exist in the dll?

[User 13439554]

Yes it Does. i tried others functions that exist in dll too. but i got the same error. i am sure about syntax and existence of these functions in the dll.

[Lost User]

But are you sure that the value you are sending to the function is correct?

[Jochen Arndt]

Have you used the Dependency Walker or dumpbin meanwhile? The exported names may be mangled (see Name mangling - Wikipedia[^] ). Then you have to pass the mangled name to GetProcAddress.

[Michael Haephrati]

This article explains it. Basically you use LoadLibrary with the DLL's path given to it. The rest is mapping the functions you will need to call.

- Michael Haephrati מיכאל האפרתי