What it is and why it is so useful

DLL’s, Dynamic Library Links, are simply files that contains code – which can be executed from your Game Maker application. Since DLL’s can be written in most languages (C++, Delphi and Visual Basic for example) it extends the functionality of Game Maker extremely. DLL’s can be used for virtually anything that GML can’t be used for.

Important to know is that a DLL file is built-up in the same way as an EXE file and the original reason to use DLL’s was to save memory. Though, in Game Maker you use it to extend only.

There is only one real weakness with DLL’s – someone has to write it. There is a general lack of DLL programming skills amongst the majority of Game Maker programmers. Luckily, there are some programmers who regularly invents and creates new DLL’s that suits Game Maker. For a complete list of the most useful DLL’s published for Game Maker visiting the Game Maker forums and the “Extending Game Maker: DLL’s, Scripts and Libraries” board is a must!

So why are DLL’s so important? Well, they allow us to implement a lot of other client-side languages!

When to use one

DLL’s are normally used when you need further control over the computer or need to use a function which is not available in GML (although most functions can be programmed in GML).

Another reason to use DLL’s is speed. Speed is often very important and DLL’s can solve certain tasks better than the in-built Game Maker functions.

Examples on useful DLL’s

Below is a list of DLL’s. I’ve included a brief description for each DLL. Note that I have mainly selected DLL’s which are useful when extending Game Maker.

• Vitaldragon’s download DLL
A very good DLL, you can download any file with it. This is especially useful when you need to call a PHP script since it can save the output as a .txt file which can then be used to retrieve information from. You must have this DLL, or a similar one since it’s almost a requirement for communicating with servers.

• Smarty’s GMSQL DLL
Allows you too connect to MySQL databases. Very useful when storing or retrieving data, I have to warn you though, the DLL will not work with servers where you don’t have the right permission or if the configuration is “wrong”.

• DT’s Web Browser DLL
If you have information on a homepage, or a script that needs to be executed, why not show it to the user immediately? This works as a normal browser – embedded in you Game Maker application.