DLL hell - Error messages and MP3 players
DLL is the acronym for Dynamic Link Library. You might have seen references to DLL in error messages when program crash (as they will always do at the worst time). We've noticed a few of you are a bit confused about what they are and what they mean. Enjoy! A DLL is a library of executable functions or data that can be used by one or several Windows applications at once. A number of DLLs are included with the Windows platform and can be used by introduced software applications, though DLLs are often written for and loaded with each particular application. Most software applications will not function (properly) with the absence of necessary DLLs. A DLL provides one or more particular functions that a program accesses by creating either a dynamic or static link to the DLL. A dynamic link is created by the program as needed where a static link remains constant during program execution. DLL file extensions include dll, .exe., .drv, .ocx, .vxd and .fon. Dictionary.com 'Dynamically Linked Library': A library which is linked to application programs when they are loaded or run rather than as the final phase of compilation. This means that the same block of library code can be shared between several tasks rather than each task containing copies of the routines it uses. The executable is compiled with a library of "stubs" which allow link errors to be detected at compile-time. Then, at run-time, either the system loader or the task's entry code must arrange for library calls to be patched with the addresses of the real shared library routines, possibly via a jump table. Recommended visits: | 
