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c++pluginsdllversioningdllexport

C++ Plug-in Version Checking via Function Export

I have two DLLs, Core and Extension. Extension implicitly links Core (using Core.lib). Extension is intended to be a plug-in (explicitly linked) into an executable which also implicitly links Core.

Core declares a function which is exported in Core.dll (extern "C" __declspec(dllexport) int GetCoreVersion()), which I would also like to export in Extension.dll.

The intended purpose is to compare versions--I want to be able to ensure that the plug-in (Extension) was linked against the same version of Core.dll as the executable. This check would be performed in the executable, as it explicitly links Extension.dll (via LoadLibrary and GetProcAddress). Is there a better way?

Solution

  • I added the following to Extension, which causes the GetCoreVersion symbol to be exported:

    #pragma comment(linker, "/export:_GetCoreVersion");

    The executable is now able to find the function (via GetProcAddress("GetCoreVersion")).