Converting simple C++ example to C, to use existing DLL

I'm attempting to use an existing .dll file from within my C code. My coworker who created this .dll has a simple example written in C++ that uses this file, which example code I'm able to use with no problems.

However, I'm now attempting to "translate" his C++ code for use in my own C code, and so far have been getting long lists of compiler errors (understandably) because I'm attempting to use his C++ syntax within my C file. After searching online & on this forum, I haven't yet encountered the information I need, in order to convert his C++ code into a C syntax that will compile.

This is his example code:

Code:

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int a = 5, b = 2;

typedef int (*sumPointer)(int a, int b); // Shorthand to make other lines shorter
HINSTANCE dll;          // Pointer to the .dll
sumPointer sum;        // Pointer to "sum" function within the .dll

dll = LoadLibrary("RC.dll");
sum = (sumPointer)GetProcAddress(dll, "sum");

sum(a,b);

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Once I can get this simple example working within my C code, I'll be able to apply this same principle to the real .dll & function calls that I need to use. (I'm aware that the comment indicators above need to be changed to C format, for starters.)

I appreciate any suggestions you have that will allow me to properly implement the above code in C. Thanks!

Was the DLL written in C or in C++?
If it was written in C++; calling it from C may be impossible to very hard to do.

Tim S.

In case it's useful, I'll paste below the list of compiler errors I get, when I attempt to create a mex file using my current C code (with corrected comment indicators) and a related .lib file:

controller_CMEXsfcn.c(230) : error C2065: 'HINSTANCE' : undeclared identifier
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(230) : error C2146: syntax error : missing ';' before identifier 'dll'
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(230) : error C2065: 'dll' : undeclared identifier
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(231) : error C2275: 'sumPointer' : illegal use of this type as an expression
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(229) : see declaration of 'sumPointer'
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(231) : error C2146: syntax error : missing ';' before identifier 'sum'
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(231) : error C2065: 'sum' : undeclared identifier
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(233) : error C2065: 'dll' : undeclared identifier
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(233) : warning C4013: 'LoadLibrary' undefined; assuming extern returning int
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(234) : error C2065: 'sum' : undeclared identifier
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(234) : warning C4013: 'GetProcAddress' undefined; assuming extern returning int
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(234) : error C2065: 'dll' : undeclared identifier
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(234) : warning C4047: '=' : 'int' differs in levels of indirection from 'sumPointer'
controller_CMEXsfcn.c(236) : warning C4013: 'sum' undefined; assuming extern returning int

Thanks for bringing that issue to my attention, Tim. I'm almost certain that the .dll was written in C++. Do you know how I would determine, for certain, whether this poses an insurmountable problem for my planned code system?

Update: I reviewed the source code from which the .dll was created, and indeed, it is C++...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CodeKate

Thanks for bringing that issue to my attention, Tim. I'm almost certain that the .dll was written in C++. Do you know how I would determine, for certain, whether this poses an insurmountable problem for my planned code system?

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Look at the header file that should be used with the DLL; but, based on you code you are not using any header files.
Edit: If his code example used extern "C" then likely it is a C DLL; otherwise likely an C++ DLL.

The errors you are getting are from NOT using the header file that define HINSTANCE.

Tim S.

First you need to #include <windows.h> for the LoadLibrary() call.
Next you need to #include the header for the dll

C++ DLLs can usually be accessed by C programs, but using classes in C is a major pain in the backside since you have to define your own VTBL for class functions (C++ does this invisibly) and call them by function pointers... As a general rule if the DLL contains only functions you should be able to use it. But when it includes Classes, you need to be a well established masochist to get it working.

In the long run it would probably be easier to use his work as a model and then re-write the DLL...

Ok, I reviewed the source code specifically for my DLL, and it *does* start with 'extern "C" '. I should mention that both the example code/.dll as well as the real versions of those files, were specifically created for my use with my *C* code, so I believe that they all *should* be compatible with C.

That having been established, are there any suggestions about how the few lines of C++ code in my OP might be able to be translated into C? I appreciate all input.

Thanks for your input, Tater. You've given me a lot to consider.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CodeKate

That having been established, are there any suggestions about how the few lines of C++ code in my OP might be able to be translated into C? I appreciate all input.

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I see nothing in your code you posted that is NOT valid C code; but, you still need to include the needed header files!

Tim S.

Update: just by including the <windows.h> and .dll header call (duh), as Tater suggested, the code is now compiling successfully with no warnings. This isn't necessarily the end of my issues, but is a huge step forward. Thanks, Tater (and Tim)!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CodeKate

Update: just by including the <windows.h> and .dll header call (duh), as Tater suggested, the code is now compiling successfully with no warnings. This isn't necessarily the end of my issues, but is a huge step forward. Thanks, Tater (and Tim)!

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Well... now you know why we use header (.h) files....

Good luck with the rest of the project.

Quote:

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Well... now you know why we use header (.h) files....

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yeah, thanks. It's not that I was unfamiliar with header files, but just that there were already a number of them included in my code, and I wasn't sure if others were missing...

Quote:

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Good luck with the rest of the project.

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Thanks a lot!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CodeKate

yeah, thanks. It's not that I was unfamiliar with header files, but just that there were already a number of them included in my code, and I wasn't sure if others were missing...
Thanks a lot!

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"I use 10 of them, what do you want?" doesn't work here. :D