The Different Kinds of DLLs Available with Visual C++

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Using Visual C++, you can build Win32 DLLs in C or C++ that do not use the Microsoft Foundation Class Library (MFC). A non-MFC DLL project is created by clicking New on the File menu and then choosing Dynamic-Link Library as your target type on the Projects tab.

The MFC library itself is available in either static link libraries or in a number of DLLs. An MFC DLL project is created by choosing New on the File menu and then choosing MFC AppWizard (DLL) as your target type on the Projects tab. If your DLL is using MFC, Visual C++ supports three different DLL development scenarios:

• Building a regular DLL that statically links MFC.

• Building a regular DLL that dynamically links MFC.

• Building an MFC extension DLL. These always dynamically link MFC.

What do you want to know more about?

• Non-MFC DLLs: Overview

• Regular DLLs statically linked to MFC: Overview

• Regular DLLs dynamically linked to MFC: Overview

• Extension DLLs: Overview

• Which kind of DLL to use