Importing Data Using __declspec(dllimport)

Visual Studio 2015

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In the case of data, using __declspec(dllimport) is a convenience item that removes a layer of indirection. When you import data from a DLL, you still have to go through the import address table. Before __declspec(dllimport), this meant you had to remember to do an extra level of indirection when accessing data exported from the DLL:

// project.h  
#ifdef _DLL   // If accessing the data from inside the DLL  
   ULONG ulDataInDll;  
  
#else         // If accessing the data from outside the DLL  
   ULONG *ulDataInDll;  
#endif

You would then export the data in your .DEF file:

// project.def  
LIBRARY project  
EXPORTS  
   ulDataInDll   CONSTANT

and access it outside the DLL:

if (*ulDataInDll == 0L)   
{  
   // Do stuff here  
}

When you mark the data as __declspec(dllimport), the compiler automatically generates the indirection code for you. You no longer have to worry about the steps above. As stated previously, do not use __declspec(dllimport) declaration on the data when building the DLL. Functions within the DLL do not use the import address table to access the data object; therefore, you will not have the extra level of indirection present.

To export the data automatically from the DLL, use this declaration:

__declspec(dllexport) ULONG ulDataInDLL;

Importing Data Using __declspec(dllimport)

See Also