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FSX Getting started with FSX modules

KWB

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germany
Getting started with FSX modules (dll vs. exe)

Sorry for bothering you with some beginners question. I am just getting started with FSX modules. Basically I went through some code I have found, but what I still miss is one comprehensive example, showing me how to write and debug modules. I do not have problems in getting along with the SimConnect examples, but these are all .exe files, no module .dll files.

  • a) Any suggestion for a good FSX module tutorial or some good code snippet serving as an example?

My module so far just has a int __stdcall DLLStart(void) / void __stdcall DLLStop(void) function, but during my first tests the next questions came up:

  • b) How can I really tell, whether my module has been loaded? I have simply placed it in FSX’s Module folder, is there anything I need to register or some naming convention? Or compiler settings I need to consider? Solved, forgot to register in dll.xml
  • c) How can I best produce debug messages, do I need to write to a file or is there some easier option? And where do messages of stdio sprintf_s go, if written in a module.dll?

Next I have tried to attach the VS2010 remote debugger. My VS2010 runs on a different PC, I can attach to the FSX process. Unfortunately the debugger fails to load the symbols, though I have placed myModule.pdb into the module directory, besides myModule.dll

  • d) Anybody else using VS2010 as a remote debugger, how have you solved the symbols issue? Solved, see b) With my dll now loading I also get the symbols.
  • e) Or is there anything better for debugging in combination with FSX?

Any hints are appreciated.
 
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Hi,

The advice for fsx is to use exe and not dll files. It's better to have asm external application running, than a module internal in fsx.

Send from my phone using Tapatalk, so excuse the short sentences and possible typos
 
External exe and child window

The advice for fsx is to use exe and not dll files.

Thanks! How about opening a child window (not modal!!) from an external exe. The exe runs in its own process, is this why it is better as a dll? Of course I can attach a window as child window from an independent process, but are there any caveats with this?
 
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