Passing an array from DLL to PBasic application.

[Ian Davies Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Davies]

I need to create an array of strings in a DLL then call the array from a PBasic Console programme. Embarrassed to say I can't find any help on the method.

The array in the DLL might look something like:

SUB GetArr(BYVAL FirstElement AS DWORD, Total AS LONG) EXPORT
DIM A() AS STRING
DIM i AS LONG
DIM t AS LONG

t = 3
REDIM A(1 TO t) AS STRING AT FirstElement
FOR i = 1 TO t
A(i) = STR$(i)
NEXT i
Total = t ' (?)
END SUB

If the SUB is in error, please let me know. If not, how do I actually load the array into a PBCC program array? Any help gratefully received.

[Graham McPhee Member Find all posts View Profile Close Graham McPhee]

This should help you along

' code for the Console app in CC50
#COMPILE EXE
#DIM ALL

%TRUE  = 1
%FALSE = 0

DECLARE FUNCTION funDLLfunction LIB "TestDll.dll" (BYREF a_strAray() AS STRING) AS LONG

FUNCTION PBMAIN () AS LONG

  funConsoleApp()
  STDOUT "Press any key to exit"
  WAITKEY$
  '
END FUNCTION

FUNCTION funConsoleApp() AS LONG
' this is the console app
 DIM a_strArray() AS STRING
 REDIM a_strArray(1 TO 1) AS STRING
 a_strArray(1) = "Unpopulated"
 '
 IF ISTRUE funDLLfunction(a_strArray()) THEN
   STDOUT a_strArray(1)
 ELSE
   STDOUT "DLL errored somehow"
 END IF
 '
END FUNCTION

' code for the DLL in PB9
#COMPILE DLL "TestDll.bas"
#DIM ALL

%USEMACROS = 1
#INCLUDE "Win32API.inc"

GLOBAL ghInstance AS DWORD


'-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
' Main DLL entry point called by Windows...
'
FUNCTION LIBMAIN (BYVAL hInstance   AS LONG, _
                  BYVAL fwdReason   AS LONG, _
                  BYVAL lpvReserved AS LONG) AS LONG

    SELECT CASE fwdReason

    CASE %DLL_PROCESS_ATTACH
        'Indicates that the DLL is being loaded by another process (a DLL
        'or EXE is loading the DLL).  DLLs can use this opportunity to
        'initialize any instance or global data, such as arrays.

        ghInstance = hInstance

        FUNCTION = 1   'success!

        'FUNCTION = 0   'failure!  This will prevent the EXE from running.

    CASE %DLL_PROCESS_DETACH
        'Indicates that the DLL is being unloaded or detached from the
        'calling application.  DLLs can take this opportunity to clean
        'up all resources for all threads attached and known to the DLL.

        FUNCTION = 1   'success!

        'FUNCTION = 0   'failure!

    CASE %DLL_THREAD_ATTACH
        'Indicates that the DLL is being loaded by a new thread in the
        'calling application.  DLLs can use this opportunity to
        'initialize any thread local storage (TLS).

        FUNCTION = 1   'success!

        'FUNCTION = 0   'failure!

    CASE %DLL_THREAD_DETACH
        'Indicates that the thread is exiting cleanly.  If the DLL has
        'allocated any thread local storage, it should be released.

        FUNCTION = 1   'success!

        'FUNCTION = 0   'failure!

    END SELECT

END FUNCTION

FUNCTION funDLLfunction(BYREF a_strLocalArray() AS STRING) EXPORT AS LONG
  TRY
    REDIM a_strLocalArray(1 TO 10) AS STRING
    a_strLocalArray(1) = "first element"
    FUNCTION = %TRUE
  CATCH
    FUNCTION = %FALSE
  FINALLY
  END TRY


END FUNCTION

[Michael Mattias Member Find all posts View Profile Close Michael Mattias]

>call the array from a PBasic Console programme

If "PBasic Console" is not a new short form for "PowerBASIC Console Compiler" ......

You can't share PowerBASIC Arrays [capital 'A' intentional ] by reference with any procedure other than a procedure compiled by PowerBASIC

PB Arrays are a proprietary construct understood only by PowerBASIC. You MAY use the same arrays with code modules compiled with either PB/Windows or PB/CC, as the same proprietary constructs are used by both compilers.

When reading Windows' documentation, "array" [small 'a'] does not mean the same thing.

[Ian Davies Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Davies]

Many thanks for your help Graham. I am studying this carefully. I was evidently a fair bit off track - but at least I am moving now in a more productive direction. Thank you again.