How to make import library from DLL(for Visual C++ or MinGW)

Just a note for myself.

How to refine VC++ import library LIB files for DLLs created from Lazarus or MinGW:

• dumpbin /exports file.dll(dumpbin is included in VC++)
• Use a text editor to write a def file(e.g. file.def) like the content below:
  EXPORTS
  functiona
  functionb
  functionc
  ……
• lib /def:file.def to create lib file
• use the lib file in compilation of application to make the application aware of DLL entry points

To use DLLs from Visual C++ to MinGW, the def files from dumpbin can be compiled into .a files(library files for GCC) with DLLTOOL in MinGW:

• dlltool -U -d file.def -l file.a

Compatibility note: for compatibility with other compilers and languages(e.g. C++ vs. Pascal), always use stdcall for calling convention and extern “C” in C++ side.