LoadLibrary with variable path

hey guys.

I have the following problem.

I am using

Code:

---

hinstlib = LoadLibrary(L"D:\\FOLDER\\Function.dll");

---

and

Code:

---

CopyFileA("D:\\Folder\\Parameters.txt","Parameters.txt",0);

---

to call a dll from a certain directory and to copy a corresponding parameter file which works quite good.

The problem now is:

The directory D:\Folder might change from one computer to another and/or it is not possible to create it.

so what i want to do is to change the specified directory to a variable.
The program from which I call the dll comes with an ascii file, in which the directory could be stored. The user could write the path into it where the dll and parameters and txt file is stored on his machine.

so at the end it should look as follows:

Code:

---

"open Ascii file"
"read Directory (maybe as a string)"
copy the string into a char variable
and finally
change
hinstlib = LoadLibrary(L"D:\\FOLDER\\Function.dll");
to
hinstlib = LoadLibrary(L"STRING\\Function.dll");

---

What I tried so far does not seem to work at all - maybe you can help me out
Thanks in advance!

Hack way:

Use a char array, and use strcpy / strcat to build the filename. Use that array in LoadLibrary() call.

Smart way:
Use a std::string foo; and build your string.
Then use LoadLibrary(foo.c_str()); to load the library.

If using a path, stick to absolute paths for LoadLibrary. The manual discusses how relative paths are treated:
LoadLibrary Function (Windows)
Dynamic-Link Library Search Order (Windows)

gg

Why do you mix ansi with wide? In case you want to do it in 'smart way' and use LoadLibraryW, you need std::wstring for wide strings.

I get the string

Code:

---

D:\FOLDER\

---

from the ASCII file using

Code:

---

FILE * pFile;                                                               
char datastring [100];
pFile = fopen ("asciifile.txt" , "r");
if (pFile == NULL) perror ("error");  //error message if open doesn't work
{
fgets (datastring , 100 , pFile);
puts (datastring);        //Output of the string for testing purpose
fclose (pFile);
}

---

which works quite well.

But I'm not sure how the syntax of the LoadLibrary Call has to be...

BTW: does it work to only use the path in the string and not the file in addition?

As you know, planned is a combiation of path (string) and filename.

like

Code:

---

...LoadLibrary(STRING "dllName.dll");

---

Does the c-syntax with double-backslash has to be in the string?

Thanks for replies!

Quote:

---

BTW: does it work to only use the path in the string and not the file in addition?

---

You want only the path? Without filename? How do you imagine it working?

Read string - C++ Reference and try to build your own path.

Code:

---

...
std::string path(datastring);
path.append("\\dll_name.dll");
LoadLibrary(path.c_str());
...

---

I highly doubt you will manage to make use of your DLL, you have no basic knowledge.

EDIT:
Read about string concatenation, you cannot concatenate two strings, writing them side by side, like:
datastring "\\lib.dll"

> fgets (datastring , 100 , pFile);
Remember to erase the newline at the end.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DampfHans

...

Code:

---

FILE * pFile;                                                               
char datastring [100];
pFile = fopen ("asciifile.txt" , "r");
if (pFile == NULL) perror ("error");  //error message if open doesn't work
{
fgets (datastring , 100 , pFile);
puts (datastring);        //Output of the string for testing purpose
fclose (pFile);
}

---

...

---

Why, why WHY are you using C?
...When you obviously posted on the C++ board.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kmdv

You want only the path? Without filename? How do you imagine it working?

Read string - C++ Reference and try to build your own path.

Code:

---

...
std::string path(datastring);
path.append("\\dll_name.dll");
LoadLibrary(path.c_str());
...

---

I highly doubt you will manage to make use of your DLL, you have no basic knowledge.

EDIT:
Read about string concatenation, you cannot concatenate two strings, writing them side by side, like:
datastring "\\lib.dll"

---

Or how about a more natural way:

Code:

---

...
std::string path(datastring);
path += "\\dll_name.dll";
LoadLibrary(path.c_str());
...

---