If you’ve examined the files on your computer, you may have seen a large number of DLL files or encountered a DLL error when trying to open a program. In this article, we will try to explain what DLL files are, how and why they are used, and what to do when you encounter a DLL error.
What is a DLL file?
A DLL file, short for Dynamic Link Library, is a type of file that contains instructions that other programs can call to do certain things. This way multiple programs can share programmed capabilities in a single file and even use them simultaneously.
For example, several different programs may call a DLL file such as example.dll to find free space on the hard drive, locate a file in a specific directory, and print a test page on the default printer.
Unlike executable programs, such as those with the EXE file extension, DLL files cannot be run directly but must instead be called by other code that is already running. But DLLs are the same format as EXEs, and some may even use the .EXE file extension. Although most Dynamic Link Libraries end with the .DLL file extension, some may use .OCX, .CPL, or .DRV extensions.
Because they are abundant and frequently used, DLL files tend to be involved in a large percentage of errors when starting, using, and shutting down Windows. Although it is easy to download the missing or unfound DLL file, this method is rarely the best way.
How to solve DLL error?
If you encounter a DLL error, your best bet is to find troubleshooting information specific to that DLL issue. In this way, you can be sure that you will solve the problem correctly and permanently. Most programs have a repair option that is similar to the installation process, and in most cases, the program will find the necessary files that are missing and reinstall them.
The word “dynamic” in Dynamic Link Library is used because data is only made available to a program when the program actively calls it, rather than data always being available in memory.
How to open DLL files?
Many DLL files are available in Windows by default, but third-party programs can also load them. Opening a DLL is a rare occurrence because there is never a need to edit a file, plus doing so could possibly cause problems with programs and other DLLs. However, if you know what you’re doing, you can do it with a program like Resource Hacker.
DLL files are very useful because they allow a program to separate its different components into unique modules. These modules can be added or removed later to include or exclude certain functionality. When a software works with DLL files in this way, it can use less memory because the program does not need to load everything at the same time.
Additionally, DLLs provide a way to update parts of the program without having to rebuild or reload the entire program. When a program uses a DLL, this benefit is even greater as all applications can benefit from the update in the single DLL file.
ActiveX Controls, Control Panel files, and device drivers are some of the files that Windows uses as Dynamic Link Libraries. These files use the OCX, CPL and DRV file extension respectively.
When a DLL uses instructions from a different DLL, the first of them is now defined as dependent on the second. This makes it easier for DLL functions to break down as it now depends on the second as well, instead of just the first one having a chance to fail, and if it goes wrong it will also affect the first one.
If a dependent DLL is upgraded to a newer version, overwritten by an older version, or removed from the computer, the program based on the DLL may no longer work as it should.
Resource DLLs are data files that have the same file format as DLLs but use the ICL, FON, and FOT file extensions. ICL files are icon libraries, while FONT and FOT files are font files.
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