Extended DLL functions. Break the 9 parameter dll limit. ^_^

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Aaron Miller

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Posted: 14th Apr 2007 14:35 Edited at: 26th Apr 2007 08:59

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Hello all. I quickly threw this together for another thread, and thought I would contribute it here as well.

What it does
It simply allows more than 9 parameters to be used in a dll call. Its probably a little bit quicker than dbps native dll calling commands as well.

Purpose?
As mentioned, I made it for another thread. Just enjoy it.

Where is this other thread?
here.

Code examples?
Do some simple stuff with the DLL.

+ Code Snippet

initextdll

user32=loaddll("user32.dll")
window=calldll(user32,"FindWindowA","DarkBASIC Pro Project12345","DarkBASIC Pro Project")
find_system_menu=calldll(user32,"GetSystemMenu",window,0)
add_menu_item_to_system_menu=calldll(user32,"AppendMenuA",find_system_menu,0,0,"my new command")
refresh_system_menu_to_include_new_command=calldll(user32,"DrawMenuBar",window)

do
loop

Grab a resource string.

+ Code Snippet

InitExtDll
Basic3DDebug=LoadDll("DBProBasic3DDebug.dll")
string$=space$(256)
GetDllString Basic3DDebug,rnd(50)+1,string$,256
DeleteDll Basic3DDebug

print string$
suspend for key
end

x=object exist(1)

Where can I download it from?

Version 1.1

Version 1.0

I hope some one finds use of this.

Cheers,

-db

UPDATE! ~ Tuesday, 4-24-07, 9:56PM
I now made it so that this DLL can get a string from the DLLs string table.

Code used to prove it:

+ Code Snippet

InitExtDll
Basic3DDebug=LoadDll("DBProBasic3DDebug.dll")
string$=space$(256)
GetDllString Basic3DDebug,rnd(50)+1,string$,256
DeleteDll Basic3DDebug

print string$
suspend for key
end

x=object exist(1)

Cheers,

-db

What? You mean I cant sleep here???

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Aaron Miller

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Posted: 15th Apr 2007 11:14

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Any criticisms? Comments? Suggestions?

Cheers,

-db

Albert Einstein believed that imagination is more important than knowledge.

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Zotoaster

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Posted: 15th Apr 2007 13:55

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I never knew there was a limit to parameters! Well this should be useful

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Sven B

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Posted: 15th Apr 2007 16:04

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Useful? USEFUL?
This is great!!!
memblocks and its pointers in combination with this plugin...

Is there still a limitation in accessing DLL's?

It's the programmer's life:
Have a problem, solve the problem, and have a new problem to solve.

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Latch

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Posted: 15th Apr 2007 17:13 Edited at: 15th Apr 2007 17:15

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@DB User 2006

It sounds incredible! Is there any reason this couldn't be used with DBC? And if so, how would you call it to use in conjunction with other DLLs?

Enjoy your day.

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Aaron Miller

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Posted: 16th Apr 2007 00:48

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@Zotoaster
Thank you.

@Sven B
Im not sure what you mean by "limitation in accessing DLL's". Would you care to explain a little bit more?

@Latch
Unfortunately, I dont believe that this would work with DBC. Unless there is some way I can force DBC to use it, but that would cause a hack most likely, and as well, I dont own DBC. :/ (I did use the trial once, which is why I bought DBP).

Cheers,

-db

Albert Einstein believed that imagination is more important than knowledge.

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Latch

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Posted: 16th Apr 2007 01:50

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@DB

I'm guessing that it works by counting the number of parameters that you are trying to pass to a particular DLL and stringing them together based on character versus numeric input (CALLDLL and rCALLDLL) inside your custom DLL - and then calling the real dll through your custom one.

My question is, how are you (in DBPro) telling your dll to load in the real DLL? Is that the ini file? If so, can you explain what the ini is doing? That probably is the key to being able to use your dll in DBC. The solution might be just to load your DLL, call startup, and then load the DLLs I want to use with your LoadDLL function - and call them likewise.

Thanks in advance!

This is really a great addition and you've got my wheels turning for something similar in DBC if this won't work.

Enjoy your day.

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Aaron Miller

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Posted: 16th Apr 2007 03:31

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In dbpro, I simply add a resource file, describing the string table of the dll. The string table is formated to tell dbpro about the commands. DBPro then builds its executable with my dll. As for how it works, it has overloaded functions. DBP can call the dll with these overloaded functions for anywhere from no parameters and no return value to 15 parameters and a return value.

Cheers,

-db

Albert Einstein believed that imagination is more important than knowledge.

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Azrael

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Posted: 16th Apr 2007 20:13

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I thought there's a undocumented command which already allow a dll call with more than 9 parameters.

+ Code Snippet

CALL DLL X( DLL-Number, name of function, ptr to paramters, amount of paramteres )

OK .. with this on - if it still exists - you have to use a pointer so your plugin is still quite usefull.

Good works.

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Aaron Miller

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Posted: 17th Apr 2007 04:27

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Yes, I did notice that command, but not being completely sure how it works, and knowing dbp does some special processing, I figured this way would be quicker, and better. Not to mention, it makes DLLs more dynamic (You dont need a preset ID).

Cheers,

-db

PS: Thank you.

Albert Einstein believed that imagination is more important than knowledge.

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Sven B

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Posted: 18th Apr 2007 17:01

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Quote: "Is there still a limitation in accessing DLL's?"

Sorry, that was a retorical question

It's the programmer's life:
Have a problem, solve the problem, and have a new problem to solve.

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Aaron Miller

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Posted: 19th Apr 2007 03:20

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Ok then.

Cheers,

-db

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Aaron Miller

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Posted: 25th Apr 2007 07:56

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UPDATE!
I now made it so that this DLL can get a string from the DLLs string table.

Code used to prove it:

+ Code Snippet

InitExtDll
Basic3DDebug=LoadDll("DBProBasic3DDebug.dll")
string$=space$(256)
GetDllString Basic3DDebug,rnd(50)+1,string$,256
DeleteDll Basic3DDebug

print string$
suspend for key
end

x=object exist(1)

Attatched is the DLL.

Cheers,

-db

There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness.

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Aaron Miller

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Posted: 26th Apr 2007 09:00

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any comments on this update?

Cheers,

-db

What? You mean I cant sleep here???

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Aaron Miller

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Posted: 27th Jul 2007 07:21

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Ok, ask questions over here (If you have any): Aex.Uni Forums.

Please make your own topic in the proper forum, thank you.

Cheers,

-naota

PS: I know that's like 4 posts by me, but they are all days apart, and this one like a month or two. Flame me if you like for the quad post.