How To View Exported Functions in a DLL

 Last reviewed: October 18, 1996
Article ID: Q135338
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, versions 3.0, 5.0

SUMMARY

This article discusses two methods you can use to find out which functions are used (imported or exported) in a .DLL (dynamic link library) file. You can use these methods to determine if a function or API call is supported in a particular DLL or to find out which DLL has a particular exported function. In addition, other DLL details that you discover may help you debug your application or call functions in a DLL.

MORE INFORMATION

Method One

By using the Windows 95 shell and the Explorer with the QuickView option installed, you can view the functions imported and exported by the DLL. To do so, use the secondary (right) mouse button, and click the .DLL file. Then select QuickView.

You can also select an .FLL file that has an extension not normally associated with the QuickView DLL viewer. Using the secondary mouse button, click the file, select open, and use the QuickView default viewer.

NOTE: The QuickView capability of Windows 95 is available only on the CD-ROM version of the Windows 95..

Method Two

This method requires Microsoft Visual C++. Through the DUMPBIN.EXE, LINK.EXE, or the LINK32.EXE (Microsoft Visual C++ version 1.1) tools that you can find in the \Msvc\Bin directory, you can find information similar to that provided by QuickView. Microsoft Visual C++ version 1.0 also has this capability through a utility in the \Msvc\Bin directory called Exehdr.exe, though this program is not capable of opening 32-bit .DLL files.

How to Install Windows 95 QuickView

The Windows 95 QuickView functionality is not installed by default, so you may find that it is not installed on your computer. To add it, follow these steps:

  1. In the Control Panel, select Add/Remove Programs.

  2. Select Windows Setup and then the Accessories category.

  3. Select QuickView in the details section of the Accessories group.

Example Syntax

Assuming you want to use the Microsoft Visual C++ utilities to view the details of Foxtools.fll, use this syntax:

  • LINK -DUMP -EXPORTS C:\VFP\FOXTOOLS.FLL > DETAILS.TXT

    -or-

    LINK /DUMP /EXPORTS C:\VFP\FOXTOOLS.FLL > DETAILS.TXT

  • DUMPBIN -EXPORTS C:\VFP\FOXTOOLS.FLL > DETAILS.TXT

    -or-

    DUMPBIN /EXPORTS C:\VFP\FOXTOOLS.FLL > DETAILS.TXT

  • EXEHDR C:\FPW26\FOXTOOLS.FLL > DETAILS.TXT

This syntax creates a text file called Details.txt that contains the listing of imported and exported functions.

NOTE: These tools won't tell you which parameters the function is expecting. You need to know that already or find out from the appropriate Windows API reference (if it is a Microsoft Windows DLL) or from the specifications of the product that installed the DLL.

REFERENCES

  • Window 95 documentation, Resource Kit
  • Visual C++ documentation

Additional reference words: 5.00 VFoxWin 3.00 export
KBCategory: kbenv
KBSubcategory: FxenvOs

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Last reviewed: October 18, 1996
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