STL and DLL don’t mix

If you ever want to write a dll (dynamic linked library) and use STL (Standard Template Library) types as attributes, parameters or return values of function or classes don’t. Unless you really absolutely have to make dll, just compile it into a .lib and statically link it to your executable.

In case it is inevitable to use std::string, std::vector and the like you can refer to the MSDN for help. Or you can write wrappers for each type you use to hide them from the dll interface. But I have to say that I find this solution really ugly. As a whole C++ feels more and more ancient the longer you are exposed to more “modern” languages like Java, C#, python and the like. Circular includes being impossible and templates being very restrictive (if you try to use them like generics) are other pet-peeves I have with this language.

I mean you can hope that C++0x fixes some of the things that make you cringe when you have to write them but I really doubt it.