making a library? DLL or .o file

Hi,

I am very solid in ANSI/ISO C and C++, but know very little proprietary library-oriented and API stuff (like the UNIX APIs for sockets and pipes or true Win32 programming).

I have long searched casually on bookstore shelves and the net for a simple introduction into the process.

I have learned MFC to some degree for making windows programs and gave tk a casual glance in Linux.

Okay, my question:

Do you know where I can find a good starting place to learn more about doing the following?

1) make a library in unix that I can dynamically bind to. This would be the notion of haveing a .h file and a .c or .cpp file that provides an implementation for the interface described in the .h file. I would then be able to compile a .o that can be used so long as the .h file is present?

2) Making DLLs. I believe this is roughly the windows equivalent of what I am getting at in point #1 above.

Again, I am strong in my ANSI/ISO-level skillset that covers the core of both C and C++, but need to move to the next level by learning things like making libraries. I really don't care for Windows programming as MS code looks really weird to me (LPSTR and that kinda thing).

Anyhow, if anyone has a nice nudge for me in the proper direction I would be grateful and I promise to RTFM as soon as I can find out where the FM is on these topics.

Thanks very much,

J

For question 1, see http://sources.redhat.com/autobook/...ml#SEC_Contents and check out chapters 10 and 17.

For question 2, it entirely depends on what language/tool you're using to create the DLL (Delphi, C++ Builder, Visual C++ etc.) The end result (i.e.) the compiled DLL has the same format, so a DLL written in one language can be accessed by a program written in another language. However, the method/syntax to create them depends on the language/environment.
In Delphi, you would do something like this: http://delphi.about.com/library/weekly/aa041100a.htm
In C++ Builder:
http://www.visualcomponentlibrary.com/bcb/dll.htm

Hope this helps!

Eddie Rulez!

BTW, do you have any info on making the DLL the VC++ way?

Thanks a million!

J

For Visual C++, see http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...our_Program.asp

Better still, you might want to go ahead and buy a book. Most books on Visual C++ have at least one or two chapters devoted to DLL creation.