Get "unknown symbol" link error when debugging a dll that calls another dll, from a function panel

[pblase]

I am debugging one dll that calls another. Both are compiled using the same debuggable dll settings, and there are no link errors when the dlls are built. The .lib file for the second dll is properly included in the project for the first. However, when I call up a function panel for a function in the first dll and try to trace through it, as soon as I hit the "run" button I get "unknown symbol" link errors indicating that LabWindows can't find the functions in the second dll. Any ideas?

[LuisG]

Hello pblase,

If I understand your situation correctly, your projects build and run correctly, but you have a problem when you try to run directly a function panel from the first dll.

The reason you're having this problem is because when you run a function panel, you're not really running the project. Function panels run in something called the interactive window, which is distinct from any of the projects in your workspace. Whenever you run something in the interactive window it needs to go through a separate linking step. In the case of function panels, for them to run successfully interactively, one of two things must be true: 1) the program file of the function panel (in your case, the dll's import library) must have no external dependencies, or 2) any external dependencies must be satisfied by additional function panel files, and these dependencies must be declared in the function panel.

To summarize, if you want to run a function panel from your first dll, then you need to also have an .fp file for your second dll, and that dependency must be declared in the function tree editor of the first function panel, by selecting Edit>>>FPAuto Load List and then specifying the dependent .fp file(s).

Luis

[pblase]

Ah, ok. Thanks.

Paul

[vincent_lee]

what can I do, if my function panel have to call to a fucntion in ".lib" file? Is there a way to convert a ".lib" file to ".fp" file? Thanks for help in advance.

[LuisG]

Hello Vincent,

.lib files can be associated with .fp files, but you cannot convert one into the other. They're different things.

What you have to do is to create a separate .fp file (File>>New>>Function Tree) that includes a function panel for each function in the .lib file that you need to call from the first .fp. Then, you need to edit the first .fp and add the second .fp as an auto-load dependency (from the function tree editor, select Edit>>.FP Auto-Load List).

Luis

[vincent_lee]

Luis,

Thanks! It does help!

Vincent Lee