hey dudes,

please help me as m new to programming.
I just want to know wat is DLL?
I m using a big big code for my proj that uses a set of 'Isam DLL's" .
so i got struck up in the first move itself..

can u please tell me wat this DLL's do .
wat is there inside this DLL's?
it is like a dark continent ! so how to look the hidden parts (the so called FUNCTIONs written in DLL's?
i have Visual studio 6 with me,
there is an application called DEPENDS with it...
it shows the functions name that are there in these DLL's ...but it is not showing the complete details of the functions ...
can u help me out in all these basic issues...

regards,
Ootsoo

DLL stands for Dynamic Link Library. It contains a library of functions that are linked to the application at run time instead of at compile time as are the functions you write yourself.

The purpose of a DLL is to have common functions all in one place that can be called by an application as and when required. Cuts out a lot of duplication.

As to what is in a particular DLL, you will have to look at the documentation. All Microsoft DLLs that can be used in user applications are documented on their web site. Just enter the function name into the search field and you will get all the information you need.

Not all DLLs are available for you to use. Most third party DLLs are not documented because the authors don't want you pirating their code for your own use. If the DLL isnt documented you cant use it unless you ar prepared to spend a lot of time and effort working out what each functions does.

Stuart