[Numpy-discussion] numpy.distutils, windows dll vs lib

[David Cournapeau]

Hi,

    recently, I got some problems detecting a dynamic library (dll) with 
numpy.distutils. Basically, I have a package which uses a class derived 
from system_info from numpy.distutils to detect a dll I use through ctypes.
    If only the dll is present, my numpy.distutils.system_info derived 
class does not find the library; if the .lib is present too, then it is 
detected. Why is that ? Can I modify my class do detecting the dll is 
enough ? I don't know how windows dynamic linking and dynamically loaded 
libraries work, and I am kind of confused by this (I thought .lib was 
.a, and .dll was .so, and that symbols were not exported by default on 
windows contrary to Unix, but the difference seems more subtle than 
this....).

    cheers,

    David