C++ How to compile dll in a .exe

Question

I am creating a c++ program, but I want to be able to offer just a .exe file to the user. However, I am using libraries (curl among others) which have some dll's. Is it possible to compile these dll's into the .exe file?

I use Code::Blocks and mingw.

Solution 1

In order to achieve that you will need static linking. This requires that all your libraries (and the libraries they depend upon recursively) need to be available as static libraries. Be aware that the size of your executable will be large, as it will carry all the code from those static libraries. This is why shared libraries (DLLs) were invented in the first place, to be able to share common code among applications. However that does not always work so well on windows.

I think what you may really want is an installer that installs your executable and all it's dependent libraries.

Solution 2

There's an article in DDJ from 2002 that may have what you want:

• Packing DLLs in your EXE by Thiadmer Riemersma

Basically it uses a combination of linking to the DLL using MSVC's 'delayed load' feature and packaging the DLL as an embedded resource in the EXE. The DLL is then automatically extracted at runtime when the first call to one of the exports is made.

I haven't used this technique so I can't really comment on how well it works, but it sure seems like a slick idea.

Solution 3

I came across dll2lib utility once. Interesting piece, though pricey one. It allows you to convert virtually any dll to a static library, which may be later linked with your application to produce solid exe. IIRC, free version will show certain notification (MessageBox) upon entering a function from such generated library.

Solution 4

You can use ILMerge

Solution 5

You need some special packer tools like XBundler.

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Comments

[Andreas Magnusson]

Please note that there also may be licensing issues involved. E.g. some licenses only allow static linking if you provide the full source code of your program.

[Ferruccio]

I think ILMerge only works with managed code, not native code.

[Heshan]

That is true. I assumed since they were trying to package a dll they were working in .NET

[Max Lybbert]

It's also true that (a Microsoft dialect of) C++ can be compiled to IL.

[Santiago Porras]

I prefer portables most of the time, especially for tools. Installer clutters up my Start menu, desktop, and program list in Add Remove programs. That's why I cringe everytime people suggest installers for this kind of question. YMMV. Still, upvoted for first paragraph.

[SdSaati]

I think there is a way to embed DLL file into an rc file and then use it in your program.