The Import keyword allows you to load function declarations from external DLL libraries. This enables calling functions from pre-compiled DLLs like the BambooBasic Runtime library.

Use Import "filename.decls" to load function declarations from a .decls file:

Import "BBRuntimeLinux.decls"

The .decls file must be located in the userlibs/ directory.

1. Create a .decls file that specifies:
   • The shared library filename using .lib "LibName.so"
   • Function declarations with proper syntax
2. Place the .decls file in the userlibs/ directory
3. Place the DLL in the userlibs/ directory
4. Use Import "filename.decls" in your BambooBasic code
5. Call the imported functions normally

A .decls file specifies the DLL and declares its functions:

; MyLibrary.decls

; Specify the shared library to load
.lib "MyLibrary.so"

; Declare functions with type suffixes
; % = Int, ! = Double, $ = String
MyFunction%(param1%, param2$):"MyFunction"
CalculateArea!(width!, height!):"CalculateArea"
GetName$():"GetName"

Type Suffixes:

• % - Int (integer values)
• ! - Double (floating-point values)
• $ - String (text values)
• No suffix - Void (no return value)

BBRuntimeLinux.decls (excerpt):

; BBRuntimeLinux Declarations for BambooBasic

.lib "BBRuntimeLinux.so"

; ====================
; Graphics Initialization
; ====================
BBR_Graphics%(resWidth%,resHeight%,graphicsMode%):"BBR_Graphics"
BBR_Cls():"BBR_Cls"
BBR_Flip():"BBR_Flip"
BBR_SetClsColor(r%,g%,b%):"BBR_SetClsColor"

; ====================
; Mouse Input
; ====================
BBR_GetMouseX%():"BBR_GetMouseX"
BBR_GetMouseY%():"BBR_GetMouseY"
BBR_IsMouseHit%(vmButtonCode%):"BBR_IsMouseHit"
BBR_IsMouseDown%(vmButtonCode%):"BBR_IsMouseDown"

; ====================
; Drawing
; ====================
BBR_DrawRect(x%, y%, width%, height%, r%, g%, b%):"BBR_DrawRect"
BBR_DrawCircle(x%, y%, radius%, r%, g%, b%):"BBR_DrawCircle"

Using the imported functions:

Import "BBRuntimeLinux.decls"

Function Main()
    ; Initialize graphics window
    BBR_Graphics(800, 600, 0)
    BBR_SetClsColor(0, 0, 128)

    ; Game loop
    While True
        BBR_Cls()

        ; Draw shapes
        BBR_DrawRect(100, 100, 50, 50, 255, 0, 0)
        BBR_DrawCircle(400, 300, 75, 0, 255, 0)

        ; Get mouse position
        Local mx:Int = BBR_GetMouseX()
        Local my:Int = BBR_GetMouseY()

        ; Check mouse click
        If BBR_IsMouseHit(1)
            Print "Mouse clicked at: " & ToString(mx) & ", " & ToString(my)
        EndIf

        BBR_Flip()
    Wend

    Return False
EndFunction

To use your own DLL:

1. Create the .decls file (MyMath.decls):

; MyMath.decls - Custom math library

.lib "MyMathLib.so"

; Function declarations
Add%(a%, b%):"Add"
Multiply%(a%, b%):"Multiply"
SquareRoot!(value!):"SquareRoot"
FormatNumber$(value!, decimals%):"FormatNumber"

2. Place files in userlibs/:

userlibs/
    MyMath.decls
    MyMathLib.so

3. Import and use:

Import "MyMath.decls"

Function Main()
    Local sum:Int = Add(10, 20)
    Print "Sum: " & ToString(sum)

    Local product:Int = Multiply(5, 7)
    Print "Product: " & ToString(product)

    Local root:Double = SquareRoot(16.0)
    Print "Square root of 16: " & ToString(root)

    Local formatted:String = FormatNumber(3.14159, 2)
    Print "Formatted: " & formatted

    Return False
EndFunction

The syntax BambooName:"ExternalName" maps a BambooBasic function name to the actual DLL function name:

; Map BBR_Graphics to the DLL function named BBR_Graphics
BBR_Graphics%(w%,h%,mode%):"BBR_Graphics"

; Map Calculate to the DLL function named PerformCalculation
Calculate%(x%, y%):"PerformCalculation"

; Map GetInfo to the DLL function named DLL_GetSystemInfo
GetInfo$():"DLL_GetSystemInfo"

This allows you to give imported functions more convenient names.

You can import multiple .decls files:

Import "BBRuntimeLinux.decls"
Import "MyMath.decls"
Import "MyPhysics.decls"
Import "MyAudio.decls"

Function Main()
    ; Use functions from all imported libraries
    BBR_Graphics(800, 600, 0)

    Local result:Int = Add(10, 20)
    ApplyGravity(player)
    PlaySound("jump.wav")

    Return False
EndFunction

• Import - Load function declarations from external DLLs (dynamic linking)

  Import "BBRuntimeLinux.decls"

• Include - Include BambooBasic source code (.bam files)

  Include "Helpers.bam"

• Linker - Link against static libraries (.a, .lib files)

  Linker "-lmathlib"

When you build your BambooBasic application:

1. Place your DLL in the userlibs/ directory
2. When you compile, BambooBasic automatically copies the DLL to the output directory (where your .bam file is located)
3. The compiled .exe will find the DLL in the same directory

Best Practice: Always place DLLs in the userlibs/ directory. BambooBasic handles copying them to the correct location automatically during compilation.

Error: "Could not load DLL"

• Make sure the DLL exists in the userlibs/ directory
• Check that the DLL filename in .lib matches the actual filename
• Ensure DLL dependencies are also available in userlibs/
• Verify the DLL was copied to the output directory during compilation

Error: "Function not found"

• Verify the function name in the .decls file matches the DLL export name
• Check that you're using the correct calling convention

Error: ".decls file not found"

• Make sure the .decls file is in the userlibs/ directory
• Check the filename spelling in your Import statement

• Use Import "filename.decls" to load external DLL functions
• .decls files must be in the userlibs/ directory
• .decls files specify the library with .lib "LibName.so"
• Use type suffixes: % (Int), ! (Double), $ (String)
• Function syntax: Name%(params):"ExternalName"
• Import provides dynamic linking to DLLs
• Different from Include (source) and Linker (static libs)

• Include - Including BambooBasic source files
• Linker - Linking static libraries
• Extern Blocks - Forward declarations
• Inline C++ - Embedding C++ code

See the BambooRuntime Examples for demonstrations of using imported DLL functions.

BambooBasic © 2026 Michael Denathorn