Dynamically Linked Applications

A dynamically linked application consists of two parts: a separately created dynamic link library (DLL), and an executable program which references the DLL. A DLL is a collection of subprograms packaged together as an executable file, not a library file. Even though it is in the form of an executable, a DLL cannot run on its own. The functions and subroutines in a DLL are called from a .EXE file that contains a main program.

The following sections describe these topics:

• DLL Support covers which language systems are supported when calling DLLs from Fortran
• Calling conventions covers designating a procedure for "decoration" in source code, and applying a calling convention at compile time to "decorate" an exported or imported symbol
• Building Fortran DLLs describes creating DLLs using Fortran, and shows example code and build commands
• Building Import Libraries describes how to make your own import libraries when a DLL has been created with a language system that does not support creating Microsoft compatible import libraries, or if a DLL has been provided without a Microsoft compatible import library
• Delivering DLLs describes how to deliver applications that use DLLs