How to create and build a C++ application that reference a DLL library? I have the .h, .lib and .dll files of the library.

If you want to use a DLL library provided by others, you can follow this tutorial:

1. Create the C++ source file, MathClient.cpp, with a text editor. Remember to include the MathFuncsLib.h file in the source code:

// MathClient.cpp : Defines the entry point for the console application.  
// Compile by using: cl /EHsc /link MathLibrary.lib MathClient.cpp  

#include "stdafx.h"  
#include <iostream>  
#include "MathLibrary.h"  

using namespace std;  

int main()  
{  
    double a = 7.4;  
    int b = 99;  

    cout << "a + b = " <<  
        MathLibrary::Functions::Add(a, b) << endl;  
    cout << "a * b = " <<  
        MathLibrary::Functions::Multiply(a, b) << endl;  
    cout << "a + (a * b) = " <<  
        MathLibrary::Functions::AddMultiply(a, b) << endl;  

    return 0;  
} 

2. Compile MathClient.cpp into MathClient.obj with Visual Studio command "cl" with MathLibrary.h in the include path:

C:\fyicenter>cl /c /EHsc MathClient.cpp
Microsoft (R) C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 19.10.25019 for x86
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

MathClient.cpp

C:\fyicenter>dir MathClient.*
11:06 AM               579 MathClient.cpp
11:10 AM           146,445 MathClient.obj

3. Build MathClient.obj into MathClient.exe with Visual Studio command "link" with MathLibrary.lib specified:

C:\fyicenter>link MathClient.obj MathLibrary.lib
Microsoft (R) Incremental Linker Version 14.10.25019.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\fyicenter>dir MathClient.*
11:06 AM               579 MathClient.cpp
11:13 AM           220,672 MathClient.exe
11:10 AM           146,445 MathClient.obj

4. Run MathClient.exe with MathLibrary.dll in the command path. Without MathLibrary.dll, you will see the MathLibrary.dll missing error.

C:\fyicenter>MathClient.exe
a + b = 106.4
a * b = 732.6
a + (a * b) = 740

You can also compile and build MathClient.cpp into MathClient.exe with Visual Studio command "cl" directly with MathFuncsLib.lib specified. No need to run "link".

C:\fyicenter>cl /EHsc MathClient.cpp /link MathLibrary.lib
Microsoft (R) C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 19.10.25019 for x86
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

MathClient.cpp
Microsoft (R) Incremental Linker Version 14.10.25019.0
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

/out:MathClient.exe
MathLibrary.lib
MathClient.obj

C:\fyicenter>dir MathClient.*
11:06 AM               579 MathClient.cpp
11:20 AM           220,672 MathClient.exe
11:20 AM           146,445 MathClient.obj

⇒ Using .NET Framework in Visual Studio

⇐ "MathLibrary.cpp" - Build DLL Library

⇑ Visual C++ Examples Provided by Microsoft

⇑⇑ Visual Studio Tutorials