Definition:
- A dynamic link library is an executable file that contains code and data that are loaded into memory by the operating system when needed.
- Dynamic libraries are not copied directly into the main program’s executable file, but rather linked to it at runtime.
- Small piece of code, stub, used to locate the appropriate memory-resident library routine
- Characteristics:
- Linked to the program at runtime
- Loaded into memory by the OS only when required
- Shared among multiple programs that use the same library
- Dependencies can be resolved at runtime
- Example: A
libmath.dll dynamic library contains math functions that can be loaded into memory and used by multiple C++ programs at runtime.