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DLL
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| To view a list of documented DLL's, see [[DLLs]]. | To view a list of documented DLL's, see [[DLLs]]. | ||
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| + | Want to create DLL's? Check [[Making_DLLs|this]] out. | ||
| == What does this mean for Fenix? == | == What does this mean for Fenix? == | ||
Revision as of 22:06, 1 October 2007
DLL stands for "Dynamic Linked Library". It's a filetype used by windows to extend applications (such as Fenix), and is logically described by windows as an "application extension". These DLLs can be included in your Fenix programs as and when you wish, or not at all.
To view a list of documented DLL's, see DLLs.
Want to create DLL's? Check this out.
Contents |
What does this mean for Fenix?
It means that people who are not developing the Fenix language can still add to it by writing DLL's for Fenix in C. These add optional extra functionality for the Fenix language through the use of some DLLs. For example, if you want to add internet/network functionality to your games, there is Network.DLL.
To use a DLL in Fenix it must first have been compiled for the version of Fenix that you are using. Most DLLs for Fenix have been pre-compiled for use with Fenix 0.84a and therefore require you to use that version Fenix (else you get a cryptic Spanish error message). However most DLLs also come with source code supplied and therefore you are able to compile DLLs for any Fenix version that you want to use (if you know how to).
Using a DLL
Each DLL may have different functionality, so it is always advisable to read the documentation that comes with the DLL (if there is any) or the page on that DLL on this wiki: List of Fenix DLLs.
First, to use the functions of any DLL you need to include this line in your code: Many DLL's require you to import them, like so:
import "<Path and file name of DLL here>";
Although there are some, like Network.DLL, which require you to include a Fenix header file, instead of importing the DLL. The header file will do that and possibly provide more functionality.
Once successfully imported, functions of that DLL can then be used in the rest of your program in the same way that Fenix functions are used. Some DLLs (especially the ones included in the Fenix releases) require other DLLs to be present in the same folder. This is normal because they use some SDL functionality that requires the appropriate SDL DLL.
For example, when including the TTF.DLL (supplied with Fenix) which enables TrueType font support, first you need to find the file named "ttf.dll" in the directory (or subfolders) to which you saved Fenix (for Fenix 0.84a the filepath is "\dll\ttf\bin") and copy "ttf.dll" to where you want your game to access it (often the same folder as the game file itself). Then go back to where you found ttf.DLL and copy the file named "freetype.dll" into the same directory as ttf.DLL (it needs to be the same directory, not a subfolder or anywhere else). Once you have copied the two files, simply add this line into your fenix code:
import "ttf.dll";
and you're away, you can then use any functions related to ttf.DLL. Note that the "freetype.dll" is neccessary for ttf.DLL to work, but does not need to be imported into your fenix code.
DLLs and game releases
When it comes to the point when you want to distribute your game to others, it is necessary to distribute it with all of the DLLs used, including the ones that are not directly imported into your code (see above). Lack of any DLLs used will make your game unplayable. For more information see Distributing Fenix Programs.
Links
- List of Fenix DLLs
- DLL category for a list of DLL's on FenixWiki
