What is a .exp file and .lib file, and how can I use them in my C# project?
.net, c#, dll
Solution
Both `lib` files and `exp` files are used with native code development (e.g. C++/VB6/Win32) and are not used at all in the .NET world.
`lib` files contain a collection of reusable code or data or both that can be statically linked and reused with your existing code. They are similar to `DLL` files, except the big difference being DLL files are linked dynamically and `LIB` files are linked statically, when you compile your program.
`exp` files are export files. There are kind of like metadata files that tell your compiler which functions in a DLL have been exported, and therefore can be reused in your statically linked program. .NET program do not require this because each .NET DLL has a special section called the CLR Metadata section. .NET programs can use reflection to pull this metadata information and see which methods are available.
Problem
I wanted to download the lame library for use in my C# project to convert audio. I found the files to use here (libmp3lame) When I downloaded the archive, I found the `.dll` I was looking for but along with them, there were 2 others files: - libmp3lame.dll - libmp3lame.exp - libmp3lame.lib My question: - 1 What are these files used for? And how can I make use of them in my project apart from the `.dll` file - What benefit do these files give me that the `.dll` library cant? Edit: I have a feeling that these files are not for use in C#. More for C++. But either way, what are those files? And what are they used for?