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Q135338: HOWTO: View Exported Functions in a DLL

Article: Q135338
Product(s): Microsoft FoxPro
Version(s): 
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbvfp300 kbvfp500 kbvfp600
Last Modified: 28-JUL-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, versions 3.0, 5.0, 6.0 
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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 query words: export

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbvfp300 kbvfp500 kbvfp600 
Technology        : kbVFPsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVFP300 kbVFP500 kbVFP600
Issue type        : kbhowto

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