How would a loaded library function call a symbol in the main application?

Question

When loaded a shared library is opened via the function dlopen(), is there a way for it to call functions in main program?

Answer 1

Yes, If you provide your library a pointer to that function, I'm sure the library will be able to run/execute the function in the main program.

Here is an example, haven't compiled it so beware ;)

/* in main app */

/* define your function */

int do_it( char arg1, char arg2);

int do_it( char arg1, char arg2){
  /* do it! */
  return 1;
}

/* some where else in main app (init maybe?) provide the pointer */
 LIB_set_do_it(&do_it);
/** END MAIN CODE ***/

/* in LIBRARY */

int (*LIB_do_it_ptr)(char, char) = NULL;

void LIB_set_do_it( int (*do_it_ptr)(char, char) ){
    LIB_do_it_ptr = do_it_ptr;
}

int LIB_do_it(){
  char arg1, arg2;

  /* do something to the args 
  ...
  ... */

  return LIB_do_it_ptr( arg1, arg2);
}