How to Customize the DLL Search Path for Statically Linked DLLs?

Customizing DLL Search Path for Statically Linked DLLs

While static linking a DLL ensures it is incorporated into the executable, the default search path for the DLL might not align with its actual location. To address this, there are various approaches to alter the search path, including:

• Dynamic Loading: Utilize LoadLibrary("plugins/Plugin.dll") and GetProcAddress to access plugin functionality, eliminating the need for static linking.
• Environment Modification: Add the path to the plugins folder to the system's PATH environment variable, allowing the application to locate the DLL within that folder.
• Delay Load: Utilize the delay load mechanism to defer plugin access until needed, allowing the creation of a custom helper function to load the DLL with a specified path.
• Assembly Transformation: Convert the plugins folder into an assembly by creating a .manifest file listing the plugins.dll. Mark "plugins" as a dependent assembly for your application, directing it to search for the DLL within the assembly.
• Stub Execution with DLL Path Manipulation: Divide your application into a stub executable and a dynamically loaded component. In the stub executable, call SetDllDirectory to specify the path to the plugin folder and LoadLibrary to load the actual plugin DLL using its full path.

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