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dlltool

Windows DLL import library creator

TLDR

Create import library from def file
$ dlltool -d [library.def] -l [library.a]
Create def file from DLL
$ dlltool -z [output.def] [library.dll]
Create DLL from def and objects
$ dlltool -d [library.def] -e [exports.o] [objects.o]
Specify machine type
$ dlltool -m [i386] -d [library.def] -l [library.a]
Create both import lib and exports
$ dlltool -d [library.def] -l [library.a] -e [exports.o]

SYNOPSIS

dlltool [options] [file...]

DESCRIPTION

dlltool is a GNU binutils tool for creating files needed to build and use Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) on Windows. It processes module definition (.def) files and creates import libraries and exports files.Import libraries allow linking against DLLs at compile time. The tool generates the necessary stubs that resolve at runtime. Export files define symbols that a DLL makes available to other programs.dlltool is essential for cross-compiling Windows software on Unix systems and for creating DLLs with MinGW and similar toolchains.

PARAMETERS

-d, --input-def FILE

Read the named .def file.
-l, --output-lib FILE
Generate an import library.
-e, --output-exp FILE
Generate an exports file.
-z, --output-def FILE
Generate a .def file (from DLL or objects).
-y, --output-delaylib FILE
Create a delay-import library.
-m, --machine MACHINE
Target machine type (e.g. i386, x86_64, arm).
-D, --dllname NAME
Name of input DLL recorded in the library.
-U, --add-underscore
Prepend an underscore to all exported symbols.
-k, --kill-at
Strip @n suffix from stdcall exported names.
-A, --add-stdcall-alias
Add aliases for stdcall symbols without @n.
--export-all-symbols
Export all global and weak symbols.
-I, --identify FILE
Report DLL name associated with an import library.
-v, --verbose
Describe what is being done.
--help
Display help information.

CAVEATS

Windows-specific tool. Def file syntax must be correct. Machine type must match target architecture. Import library format may vary between toolchains.

HISTORY

dlltool is part of GNU binutils, developed for supporting Windows DLL creation in cross-compilation environments. It enables building Windows software using GNU toolchains like MinGW.

SEE ALSO

ld(1), nm(1), objdump(1), windres(1)