What is Name Mangling?
Name mangling is the technique used by C++ to generate unique names. C++ uses name mangling to implement function overloading etc. For instance, if you have two overloaded functions, while compiling the source, compiler will internally rename your function to uniquely generated function name. The function name is generated from the parameter list and a couple of other factors.

Check the links for the name mangling algorithm by Visual C++.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Visual_C%2B%2B_Name_Mangling
http://www.kegel.com/mangle.html

Have a look at mangled C++ function names below.

Well, Name Mangling is nice. But it have one problem. You cannot call your exported C++ function from C code. Because, C++ compiler mangles the function name and renames the fuction and exposes the mangled function name. So in order for C source to call C++ function, you’ve to disable name mangling for those functions. But how?


You can disable name mangling by declaring the function as extern “C”. Have a look at the code snippet.

// Disable name Mangling for single function.
extern "C" void Function( int a, int b );

// Disable name Mangling for group of functions.
extern "C"
{
    void Function1( char a, char  b );
    void Function2( int a, int   b );
    void Function3( float a, float b );
}


If you want to get the function name from a mangled name, then have a look at my previous post -
http://weseetips.com/2008/04/14/name-mangling-how-to-undecorate-a-c-decorated-function-name/


Targeted Audience – Beginners.