windows - Exporting a C++ class from a DLL -

most of c/c++ development involves monolithic module files , absolutely no classes whatsoever, when need make dll accessible functions export them using standard __declspec(dllexport) directive. access them either dynamically via loadlibrary() or @ compile time header , lib file.

how do when want export entire class (and it's public methods , properties)?

is possible dynamically load class @ runtime , if so, how?

how header , lib compile time linking?

what late-binding? in loading loadlibrary() , getprocaddress() ? i'm used being able load library @ run time , great if here.

so there 2 ways load dll. first reference 1 or more symbols dll (your classname, example), supply appropriate import .lib , let linker figure out.

the second explicitly load dll via loadlibrary.

either approach works fine c-level function exports. can either let linker handle or call getprocaddress noted.

but when comes exported classes, typically first approach used, i.e., implicitly link dll. in case dll loaded @ application start time, , application fails load if dll can't found.

if want link class defined in dll, , want dll loaded dynamically, sometime after program initiation, have 2 options:

1. create objects of class using special factory function, internally have use (a tiny bit of) assembler "hook up" newly created objects appropriate offsets. has done @ run-time after dll has been loaded, obviously. explanation of approach can found here.

2. use delay-load dll.

all things considered... better go implicit linking, in case want use preprocessor technique shown above. in fact, if create new dll in visual studio , choose "export symbols" option these macros created you.

good luck...