Step by Step - Calling C++ DLLs From VC++ and VB - Part 2 - CodeProject
Step by Step - Calling C++ DLLs From VC++ and VB - Part 2 - CodeProject
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This series of articles is a step-by-step guide to constructing C++ DLLs that include C++ functions and C++ classes, and then calling the DLL functions
and classes from VC++ and VB programs.
Introduction
This series of articles discusses four common situations when working with DLLs:
Step 1
Here is the code for DLL2, which is taken from Part 1's DLL1:
#include "stdafx.h"
#define DLL2_EXPORTS
#include "DLL2.h"
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// GetCycleCount - private function of DLL2.cpp. The static keyword ensures
// that this function name is not visible outside DLL2.cpp.
static inline unsigned __int64 GetCycleCount()
{
unsigned int timehi, timelo;
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Example of an exported function
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// GetCpuSpeed - returns CPU speed in MHz; for example, ~2193 will be
// returned for a 2.2 GHz CPU.
DLL2_API int __stdcall GetCpuSpeed()
{
const unsigned __int64 ui64StartCycle = GetCycleCount();
Sleep(1000);
return static_cast<int>((GetCycleCount() - ui64StartCycle) / 1000000);
}</int>
#ifndef DLL2_H
#define DLL2_H
// The following ifdef block is the standard way of creating macros which
// make exporting from a DLL simpler. The DLL2.cpp file is compiled with
// the symbol DLL2_EXPORTS defined at the top of DLL2.cpp. This symbol
// should *not* be defined in any project that uses DLL2. This way any
// other project whose source files include DLL2.h will see DLL2_API defined
// as __declspec(dllimport), whereas within DLL2.cpp, DLL2_API is defined as
// __declspec(dllexport).
#ifdef DLL2_EXPORTS
#define DLL2_API __declspec(dllexport)
#else
#define DLL2_API __declspec(dllimport)
#endif
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// This function is exported from the DLL2.dll
DLL2_API int __stdcall GetCpuSpeed();
#endif //DLL2_H
One difference between the code for DLL2 and the code for DLL1 is that GetCpuSpeed() is declared using __stdcall. This is required for any
C/C++ function that you want to use with VB. Here is what MSDN says about the __stdcall calling convention:
Element Implementation
Argument-passing order Right to left.
Argument-passing convention By value, unless a pointer or reference type is passed.
Stack-maintenance responsibility Called function pops its own arguments from the stack.
An underscore (_) is prefixed to the name. The name is followed by the
at sign (@) followed by the number of bytes (in decimal) in the
Name-decoration convention
argument list. Therefore, the function declared as int
func( int
a, double b ) is decorated as follows: _func@12
Case-translation convention None
Step 2
To test DLL2.dll, I use this VB code:
End Sub
Screen.MousePointer = vbHourglass
nSpeed = GetCpuSpeed()
Screen.MousePointer = 0
s = nSpeed
End Sub
Form1.Text1.Text = ""
End Sub
After copying DLL2.dll to the VB directory, I run VB2.exe and this is what I see:
0 characteristics
403FE342 time date stamp Fri Feb 27 08:21:30 2004
0.00 version
1 ordinal base
1 number of functions
1 number of names
1 0 00001010 ?GetCpuSpeed@@YGHXZ
Summary
4000 .data
1000 .rdata
1000 .reloc
4000 .text
This is what you would expect from VC++ - it has "decorated" the name GetCpuSpeed and exports the new mangled name
?GetCpuSpeed@@YGHXZ, which VB doesn't understand. What does this mean? Here is what MSDN says:
The Microsoft C++ compilers encode the names of symbols in C++ programs to include type information in the name. This is called
"name decoration", or "name mangling". The purpose of this is to ensure type-safe linking. The C++ language allows function
overloading where functions with the same name are only distinguished from one another by the data types of the arguments to the
functions. Name decoration enables the linker to distinguish between different versions of overloaded functions because the names of
the functions are encoded or decorated differently.
Step 3
To get back to the problem that VB is having, I need to tell VB that the name associated with export #1 is GetCpuSpeed, not the VC++ decorated
name. There is a simple way to do this: create a DLL2.def file, which looks like this:
LIBRARY DLL2
DESCRIPTION 'A C++ dll that can be called from VB'
EXPORTS
GetCpuSpeed
Now I recompile DLL2. To check what change has been made, I run dumpbin again:
Hide Shrink Copy Code
0 characteristics
403F2B8D time date stamp Fri Feb 27 08:35:41 2004
0.00 version
1 ordinal base
1 number of functions
1 number of names
1 0 00001010 GetCpuSpeed
Summary
4000 .data
1000 .rdata
1000 .reloc
4000 .text
This shows that export #1 is now named GetCpuSpeed. So I copy the new Dll2.dll file to the VB directory, run the VB app, and click the button. This
is what I get:
Success! I have a VB application calling a function that has been exported from a VC++ DLL. But what about VC++ applications? Can a VC++
application call the same DLL as a VB application?
Step 4
I copy the EXE code from Part 1, remove the code that tests the C++ class, compile it, and run it. Here is what I get when I press the button:
So I have one DLL that can be called by a VC++ application and a VB application. This was accomplished by use of a module definition (.DEF) file.
Step 5
Since the DLL now has a .DEF file, there is no need for the __declspec(dllexport) and __declspec(dllimport). I change DLL2.h to:
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// This function is exported from the DLL2.dll
int __stdcall GetCpuSpeed();
#endif //DLL2_H
Key Concepts
To avoid name-mangling problems and having to Alias function names in VB, use module definition (.DEF) files.
When using .DEF files, it is not necessary to use __declspec(dllexport) or __declspec(dllimport).
Use __stdcall for functions that are called by VB.
DLLs implemented with .DEF files can be called by both VC++ and VB programs (without needing to use Alias).
Demos
The EXE2.exe and VB2.exe demos test the GetCpuSpeed() function in DLL2.dll:
Revision History
Usage
This software is released into the public domain. You are free to use it in any way you like, except that you may not sell this source code. If you modify
it or extend it, please to consider posting new code here for everyone to share. This software is provided "as is" with no expressed or implied warranty.
I accept no liability for any damage or loss of business that this software may cause.
License
This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)
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I attended St. Michael's College of the University of Toronto, with the intention of becoming a priest. A friend in the University's Computer Science
Department got me interested in programming, and I have been hooked ever since.
Recently, I have moved to Los Angeles where I am doing consulting and development work.
Search Comments
Callin VB DLLs from VC++ (visual studio 2010) Member 9194833 16-Jul-12 1:07
creating a DLL which holds info (array and parameters) for shabya 21-Apr-06 2:35
applications
Re: Problem with calling a C++ DLL from VB MANISH RASTOGI 26-Jun-08 3:03
Very Helpful but can you help me further? kezhu 23-Mar-05 1:54
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