MIDL Compiler
The MIDL compiler processes an IDL file to generate a type library and output files. The type of output files generated by the MIDL compiler depends on the attributes specified in the IDL file's interface attribute list.
If the attribute list contains the [object] keyword, the MIDL compiler generates COM interface output files: an interface proxy file, an interface header file, and a globally unique identifier (GUID) file for the interface. If the IDL file contains a library statement, MIDL generates a type library file with the .tlb file name extension. If there are any interfaces in the IDL file that do not have the [object] keyword and are not enclosed in a library statement, the MIDL compiler generates interface output files appropriate for remote procedure calls (RPCs): a client stub file, a server stub file, and a header file. For more information, see the topics Interface Definitions and Type Libraries and Generating a Type Library with MIDL.
To generate a type library and output files from an IDL file:
From the command prompt, run
midl filename
where filename is the name of the IDL file.
The MIDL compiler also supports several optional parameters. For a complete list, see "MIDL Command-Line Reference" in the Visual C++ documentation, or run the following command line:
midl /?
Related topics
Feedback
Coming soon: Throughout 2024 we will be phasing out GitHub Issues as the feedback mechanism for content and replacing it with a new feedback system. For more information see: https://aka.ms/ContentUserFeedback.
Submit and view feedback for