Using a cpp project's dll & .lib file in python

Question

So with a standard cpp compiler, my application links to the .lib file and then at runtime, as long as the dll is in the same folder as the executable, everything magically works..

But In python, what role does the .lib file serve? I understand you can use a dll's functions by using ctypes

from ctypes import*   
dllHandle = cdll.LoadLibrary("C:\\filename.dll") 
or
ctypes.WinDLL ("C:\\filename.dll")

But what is being lost by not using the .lib file? If it's not needed why is it necessary in cpp projects?

PankajM · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-25 03:10:33Z

2

If void foo() is exported in test.dll and this function is invoked from main() in application. When you build application linking with test.lib, linker resolves call to this exported function. But another way to achieve this is by loading test.dll at runtime, get function address for void foo() and invoke that ( you can refer to http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms683212%28v=vs.85%29.aspx). This doesn't need any linking to test.lib. In python you are doing the similar thing and test.lib plays no role here.

answered Jul 25, 2014 at 3:10

PankajM

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