Knowledge Base

Reference Counts for Windows Dynamic Libraries

Article ID: 11467

Article Last Modified on 2/25/2004


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This article was previously published under Q11467

SUMMARY

Libraries are reference counted and remain resident in memory until they cease to be referenced.

When a task module is started and is dynamically linked to the library, the reference count is incremented by 1 (one). When the task module is terminated, the reference count is decremented by 1 (one).

Two functions, LoadLibrary() and FreeLibrary(), affect the reference count. LoadLibrary() increments the reference count by one while FreeLibrary() decrements the reference count by one.

Additional query words: 3.00 no32bit 3.10

Keywords: kb16bitonly KB11467