DynamicLibrary

Open a C library with DynamicLibrary.open.

DynamicLibrary

DynamicLibrary.open('libmath.so') loads a C library into memory. You search for symbols on the opened library via lookupFunction. .so is the Linux/Android extension, .dylib is macOS, .dll is Windows. Use DynamicLibrary.process() to open the current process.

final lib = DynamicLibrary.open('libmath.so');
// symbol lookups happen on lib

Symbol lookup

Once the library is loaded, C symbols are found via lib.lookup<NativeFunction>('symbol'). A symbol is a function or variable name on the C side. lookupFunction converts the symbol into a Dart function.

Exercise Get the process library

In main, get a library with DynamicLibrary.process() and print its runtimeType.

Show example solution

import 'dart:ffi';

void main() {
  final lib = DynamicLibrary.process();
  print(lib.runtimeType);
}

Test yourself

What does DynamicLibrary.open do?
- Creates a widget
- Opens a database
- Makes an HTTP request
- Loads a C library into memory
Show answer

Loads a C library into memory — DynamicLibrary.open loads a C library (.so/.dylib/.dll) into memory; symbol lookups are done through this object.

DynamicLibrary.open call

final lib = ____.open('libmath.so');

Show answer

final lib = DynamicLibrary.open('libmath.so');

DynamicLibrary matches

DynamicLibrary

Loaded library
open

Library opening
symbol

C-side name
.so

Linux/Android extension

Next lesson: lookupFunction

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