mfc, static lib that has string resources

by **Tom Jones** » Sat, 29 Nov 2003 04:23:01 GMT

Per a previous question I had a dll project that I have converted to a
static library. The dll (now a static lib) uses MFC to reference string
resources. For example, in the DLL I could do something like this:

CString s;
s.LoadString(IDS_STRING_DEFINED_IN_MY_DLL);

Now that my dll is a static lib, I can no longer seem to get to these string
resources (the strings always come back empty).

What is the correct way to include the string resources required by a static
library into an exe that links to that static library?

Thanks!
TJ

by **Mihai N.** » Sat, 29 Nov 2003 06:55:20 GMT

Include the .rc of the library in the .rc of the module using it.

But in general a library should be designed without UI (as much as possible).

--
Mihai
-------------------------
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by **Tom Jones** » Sat, 29 Nov 2003 08:07:06 GMT

Thank you for the reply Mihai.

I want to be sure I understand what you are saying regarding "But in general
a library should be designed without UI."

My static library has error strings that will be localized. My static
library does NOT display any type of UI; that is up to the exe that
eventually consumes it.

Should I not be using a string resource to define these strings?

BTW, when you say, "Include the .rc of the library in the .rc of the module
using it." do you mean to physically include it (i.e. #include) or pull it
into the exe's project another way?

Thank you again for your reply!

TJ

possible).

by **Mihai N.** » Sat, 29 Nov 2003 16:03:32 GMT

> I want to be sure I understand what you are saying regarding "But in
Yes, this is my idea of a library.
I would expect a library to return numeric error codes, and the developer
will decide to show a dialog message, print to the console, log without
any UI, or ignore (good or bad, is his decision).
This is what I call a flexible library.
What if I develop a command-line application and your library pops a dialog?
I don't think I would like it.

In the resource editor right-click then select "Resource Includes"
You can add there
#include "LibRC.rc"
and the content will be nicely included when the application's RC is compiled
(if it is in the include path).
The above description is for Dev. Studio 2003 (.NET), but I think for Dev.
Studio 6 is pretty close (if not the same).

Mihai
-------------------------
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by **Tom Jones** » Sat, 29 Nov 2003 16:22:26 GMT

Thanks again for your response Mihai.

Unfortunately, I cannot include a rc file directly - it won't compile.

If the exe that uses my static library has its main file setup like this
(just as an example):

#include "stdafx.h"
#include "..\lib2\lib2.h" // function prototypes for my static
library
#include "..\lib2\lib2.rc" // string resources needed by my static
library

CWinApp theApp;
using namespace std;
int _tmain(int argc, TCHAR* argv[], TCHAR* envp[])
{
// MFC initialization stuff...

int i = foo(); // foo lives in my static library

return 0;
}

This won't compile:

compiling...
Test.cpp
f:\Dev\DllToLib\Lib2\Lib2.rc(20) : error C2143: syntax error : missing ';'
before 'constant'
f:\Dev\DllToLib\Lib2\Lib2.rc(20) : error C2501: 'LANGUAGE' : missing
storage-class or type specifiers
f:\Dev\MS\Mine\DllToLib\Lib2\Lib2.rc(21) : warning C4068: unknown pragma

Do you mean that I SHOULD be able to include it directly?

Thanks,
TJ

dialog?
compiled

by **Mihai N.** » Sun, 30 Nov 2003 15:53:17 GMT

> If the exe that uses my static library has its main file setup like this

THIS IS BAD!!!

Don't include the RC of ther library in your C/CPP code. Include it in the RC
of the application.

This is what I said first:

Second time:

So, you include the lib's RC file in the application's RC, using the
resource editor.
Should I send you some sample project?

Mihai

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