While xxx_API macroses are common, over the time I came to appreciate the .def files more. It takes a bit more effort to keep them in sync, but then you no long

While xxx_API macroses are common, over the time I came to appreciate the .def files more. It takes a bit more effort to keep them in sync, but then you no longer need the xxx_API pattern, and you can ship both static and shared libs this way. For C++ interface though, .def files become an unreadble mess due to the mangling, and in this case using the xxx_API is probably better choice