What are dlls why do we use them

LIB files which were statically linked libraries. You can even distribute. LIB files but they have to be introduced at compile time and not runtime. They can help facilitate reusable, maintainable and modularity just like a DLL.

The big difference is that they are linked when the program is compiled not when it is executed. I'm really beginning to wonder if we shouldn't return to.

Memory is plentiful and there is overhead in load time when you have to load and runtime link a bunch of DLL files. Maybe they will consider them with C in the future. I"m just not sure the reasons for DLL's still exist in the broad context they are used for today. In big softwares, you have many teams they work on several different modules of program, and thay can proceed their goals without needing to know what others is doing!

So one of the best solutions, is that each team produces own codes in parallel. So,dll comes to scene It contain some functions and data. Where we use these function? For example, you need to send a meeting invite via MS outlook through code, for this simply refer the dlls provided by MS outlook in your application and you can start coding your way to success! Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.

Create a free Team What is Teams? Collectives on Stack Overflow. Learn more. DLL files contain numerous functions, classes, and variables that other programs can use as and when the need arises. When you run a word processor, it might have to execute a specific task that it doesn't have the code for. For example, let's say you want to print off something in the word processor, but the software has no idea how to do that.

In this case, the program will need to borrow the instructions from another program that's built specifically to provide print functionality. This is where those pre-built libraries come in.

They will provide all the necessary code to the word processor to help it print out your work whenever the program requires it. This concept of libraries is based on the Modular programming framework, a concept in software development where a program is divided into independent sub-programs that can run on their own. First, changes made to a single module will be reflected in all the applications that make use of that module for its operations.

This wouldn't have been possible if we weren't using the practice of writing reusable code and thus creating libraries. Secondly, Dynamic Libraries make debugging and tweaking code a walk in the park.

DLL files are nothing more than a means for developers to use shared code and data, allowing to upgrade functionalities without the need to re-link or re-compile applications. In other words, DLL files contain code and data that is used by several different applications. A single DLL file can be used by different applications, if they should require it, eliminating the need for multiple copies of the same information.

When a given software lacks a DLL file, the usual approach is to search that file online and store it in our hard drive. However, this method is not recommended by everyone , as it may bring some risks like outdated DLLs, virus infections and so on. Did you know this information about DLL files?

Is there something important missing from this article? Let us know in the comments. Diogo diogocostaweb is a Biologist with a grip on computers and technology. Running Windows systems all his life, has a big interest in discovering new apps that increase productivity or simply make things more interesting.

He lives in Portugal and has photography and music as main hobbies. A dynamic library is a stand-alone file. A static library cannot be changed once it is compiled within the EXE. Also the sources of this answer. DLL files are binary files that can contain executable code and resources like images, etc. Unlike applications, these cannot be directly executed, but an application will load them as and when they are required or all at once during startup. Most applications will load the DLL files they require at startup.

If any of these are not found the system will not be able to start the process at all. If one of these DLL files in the chain of dependency is not found, the application will not load. This is debugged easily using any dependency walker tools, like Dependency Walker. Each functionality is kept separately in different DLL files so that only the required DLL files will be loaded and thus reduce the memory constraints on the system.

DLL files also becomes a form of separating functionalities physically as explained above. Good applications also try to not load the DLL files until they are absolutely required, which reduces the memory requirements. This too causes applications to ship with a lot of DLL files. However, at times system upgrades often breaks other programs when there is a version mismatch between the shared DLL files and the program that requires them.

System checkpoints and DLL cache, etc. NET platform might not face this issue at all. Refer the programming documentation from your vendor.