尝试从Visual Studio命令提示符处调用lib.exe

Question

I am trying to call lib.exe from the Visual Studio Command Prompt so I can build the .lib file from my .def file. When I run this:

lib.exe /MACHINE:X86 /DEF:MyDLL.def

In the end I want to export my functions to be used when I call them from within a DLL. I am having to create this library because I have 2 DLLs and the first one calls the second one. The second one I just have the DLL itself and do not have the header or the .cpp file. I do not have the .lib file hence why I am trying to create one. I have used this tool expdef - def file generator to create my .def file and following this tutroial: How To Create 32-bit Import Libraries Without .OBJs or Source , so I could build the library file.

The error I receive from the command prompt is:

LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file 'MyDLL.def'

So I have tried searching through many forums and searches but cannot find a solution to why I see this.

I have posted this on another forum here where it explains what I totally want to do.

Answer 1

Another option if you don't have and export .lib for a DLL is to the Win32 APIS LoadLibrary() and GetProcAddress(). Call these APIs from the caller code, using the names of the exported entry points of the callee DLL. You don't need to mention the callee DLL at all when linking the first DLL.

To get the names of the exported entry points, you can use a tool like "dumpbin /exports" or depends.exe on the callee DLL.

Of course, you have to know the signatures and any other assumptions of the called entry points, or you will get undefined behavior. If worst comes to worst, you may be able to deduce these by debugging the call.