Atl

i would like to make a SIMPLE DLL object with visual c++
that i can use in vb (just like the simplest thing possible)
maybe a function that returns "hi, this works"

Try returning a simpler value before you move onto strings - you can't just "return" one like in VB - in C++ strings are arrays.

sure you can
if you use the string library :)

i was more interested in the ATL part of making the dll
i will check out the example now
thanks

You said from C++ to VB - you can't return a c++ class to VB because they have no conceptual equivalent :)

what steps did you take to create these files though

like from start to finish

Create "Win32 Dynamic Link Library" project. Add a .cpp file, put a test function in. Add a .def file and write the export table. The linker sorts it out for you if you have a .def file in the project.