Why do software programs use DLLs?

To share a single instance of a code among multiple programs.

What is NOT an advantage of using DLLs?

Makes the software installation more complex.

When a software program uses a DLL, what happens?

The DLL runs the required code as a separate program and returns the result to the requesting software.

What is DLL

by Yogi P - September 3, 2023

What is the Full Form of DLL?

DLL (Dynamic Link Library) is a file format used by Microsoft Windows operating system. A DLL is a set of prewritten instructions or functions that one or more programs can call upon to do certain tasks. These DLLs are stored in the Windows operating system’s library containing information and instructions for how to carry out various tasks and procedures in Windows.

How Does a DLL Work?

When different software programs require the same code to be shared, the code is stored in the DLL and not compiled into each program. This method saves on processing time and storage space for software developers, since each program need only make a reference to the code stored in the DLL when needing the code to complete its tasks.

When the program requests a specific code from the DLL, the DLL program will run the required code as an individual program, and returns the result to requesting software program. This method is called Dynamic Link Library.

Advantages of DLL

One of the main advantages of DLL is the ability for multiple software programs to share a single instance of a code. When a program uses a DLL, no additional memory or space is needed to store the code, it both decreases the size of the program and also conserves memory resources of the computer.

DLL also allows software developers to not need to worry about replacing the same code in all programs. This saves time when developing applications, but might require periodic upgrades of the DLL if software or operating systems are changed.

Conclusion

To sum it up, DLLs are stored in the Windows operating system’s library, and act as shared code for multiple programs. They help to reduce memory usage and processing time, and allow developers to make programs more efficient. DLLs are an essential part of making Windows run smoothly and securely.