Calling DLL with several data fields in output params

Java script Dude

Hi,

I basically need to write a script that will make calls to a DLL and
parse the return result for API calls that consist of several data
fields in the input and output parameters.

[Questions]
[q1] Is ctypes the right Python library to use for this interaction.
.. . . . . I know about calldll but it seems quite poorly documented.
[q2] Are there any existing windows DLLs that one could use to build
simplified test code.
.. . . . . One that has several input and output parameters and playing
with it will not kill my system.
.. . . . . Also, I'd rather not have to learn how to write a DLL to
build a test case.

BTY - I have not decided on the language yet but would love to do this
in Python. Although, I am considering writing in C++ (me_b_newbie) -or-
JNI (it_b_ugly) -or- Obj-C (it_b_cool). MS languages are not an option
in my book :}

Thanks,
JsD

Jan 28 '06 #1

Peter Hansen

Java script Dude wrote:[color=blue]
> I basically need to write a script that will make calls to a DLL and
> parse the return result for API calls that consist of several data
> fields in the input and output parameters.
>
> [Questions]
> [q1] Is ctypes the right Python library to use for this interaction.
> . . . . . I know about calldll but it seems quite poorly documented.[/color]

ctypes replaces and improves on calldll, which whether poorly documented
or not is unsupported. It can do whatever you need.
[color=blue]
> [q2] Are there any existing windows DLLs that one could use to build
> simplified test code.[/color]

Can't help you. There are obviously many windows DLLs in existence, and
any one of them might be suitable to you, but you'll have to judge that
yourself.

Why wouldn't you just use the target DLL that you already have?

-Peter

Jan 29 '06 #2

Java script Dude

>Why wouldn't you just use the target DLL that you already have?

Still in the process of getting the software from the vendor.

However, I have had luck in playing around with win32 api and am now
getting the hang of using ctypes.

Looks like I am going down the Python road.

Thanks for the info :]

JsD

Jan 29 '06 #3