17.5. Load-time versus Run-time Linking
The above example uses what is called load-time linking to connect the DLL to the application. In load-time linking, the operating system automatically loads the DLL for the application as soon as the application starts. If the OS cannot find the necessary DLL, the application cannot run. You access almost all DLLs using load-time linking, because it is easy and transparent. The application programmer needs to put nothing in the application's code to use the DLL.
Run-time linking gives the application a little more control. In run-time linking, the application tells the operating system when to load the DLL. The operating system then tells the application whether the DLL is available. If it is not, the ...
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