A DLL is a library that links dynamically, not statically, with an application. The library contains a group of compiled functions or programs.
Static linking of libraries results in very large programs which must be recompiled and linked each time a function in the library changes.
Dynamic library links reduce program size and recompilations, because applications link to the library to obtain the current code when they are executed.
The use of DLLs is now very common and many products provide and can use DLLs. For example, C#, Visual Basic, Microsoft Excel and Lotus Notes all call DLLs. Some products require external DLLs to have a product specific interface. These products require a DLL to be written to interface to LANSA Open.
LANSA Open provides its functions in a DLL which must be loaded onto your PC.
Note that if you are programming using any language that targets the .NET runtime (e.g. C#, VB.NET), you should use LANSA Open for .NET instead of LANSA Open.
The use of LANSA Open from .NET languages is NOT recommended due to incompatibility with .NET strings – manual conversion is required when passing .NET strings.
