How to test an unknown function DLL file

[sedawk]

Hi All,

I was given a *.dll file saying that it provides some networking functions without any detail explanation. It is more like a black box to me. So my question is:

How can I test what function the *.dll file has?

 

[txjump]

MSVC++ provides a tool called dumpbin. in a dos window, go to the folder where the dll is and run the following command

dumpbin /exports dllfilename.dll

this will list all the functions in the dll that are available to you.

txjump

 

[ahoodin]

Visual C++ ships with a windows application called Depends.
Try this it has a very nice output.

HTH,
ahoodin

 

[sedawk]

I tried the dumpbin /exports method. Sometimes it gave me a blank window(I think it depends on the *.dll file), sometimes it simply says:

error: cannot execute link.exe

Even I copied the link.exe to that folder, I had the same error but one more popup message box:

Error: cannot find necessary .dll file -- mspdb60.dll

How to use dumpbin.exe?

As for the Depends method, where can I get this application?

 

[sedawk]

What I tried is with msdetstf.dll located in /msdev/vc98/lib folder and other files. But similar results obtained.

 

[programsecrets]

The "Depends" application is a Microsoft Visual Studio tool. Here's where it's likely located on the Windows Start Menu:

Programs/Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0/Tools/Depends

If it's installed, you can also use it from the command line.

 

[txjump]

maybe your path environment variable does not include the folder that holds all of mvc++ files. i had to modify my path variable so those folders were seen.

the way i use dumpbin is to change directory till i get to the parent folder of my dll file. then i just type

dumpbin /exports mydll.dll


if your path isnt set right you can go to the folder where dumpbin.exe exists and type the full path to your dll (maybe)

dumpbin /exports c:\myfullpath\tosomeplace\mydll.dll

if you type just dumpbin on the command line you will see the available options. heres microsofts link to info on dumpbin

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...en-us/vccore98/HTML/_core_dumpbin_options.asp

 

[sedawk]

Thanks, folks. It was about the dumpbin.exe path and mspdb60.dll directory must be in the same directory. I made it work. I am hesitate to say this tool told me all the info. But the thing is my computer doesn't have Depends according to programsecrets.

Anyway, thank your guy's input and I appreciate it very much.

 

[txjump]

the dll may very well have lots of other functions in it but, if they were not compiled w/ extern or were not listed in a .def file, those functions are private to the dll.

according to what ive read and my experince, the /exports option does give you everything that is "public" for the dll.

i used it when i was creating a dll so i could make sure that i compiled correctly and that others would be able to use the dll fully. i left some functions private and they didnt show up. unless i had a typo, all my extern functions and functions listed in the .def file were listed when i used the /exports option.

good luck
txjump

 

[sedawk]

Hi,

Eventually I found out what the *.dll file is about though roughly. Now I would like to test it. How to use the entry points in the *.dll file. For example, the *.dll has entry points:

DllEntry1
DllEntry2 etc.

Do I need to include the *.dll file in my client application or there are other ways to call this *.dll file like in project setting? Since this is the only file I have. Sorry I am asking this very basic question.

 

[tchouch]

To find out, which functions a dllor anexe has, You can use an application PCHacker. You can try to starts functions from dll with this program too!
Download it from:

http://odin.prohosting.com/piillc/PCHacker.zip

Expand the program and go to Menu Info about->Library..., select a File and You've got it.

 

[sedawk]

Hi,

Sorry for my persistence. I have solve what the file roughly about. Now the problem turns to how to use it:

Do I need to change some setting in "Project Setting"?