title: .def files C/C++ DLLs
body: <p>I am not understanding the point of using .def files with DLLs.</p>
  
  <p>It seems that it replaces the need to use explicit exports within your DLL code (ie. explicit __declspec(dllexport)) however I am unable to generate a lib file when not using these which then creates linker issues later when using the DLL. </p>
  
  <p>So how do you use .defs when linking with the client application, do they replace the need to use a header or .lib file?</p>