Simple C++ Application Plugin Framework

Simple C++ Application Plugin Framework ('The Framework' from here-on) is a minimal implementation example of a C++ application that supports a simple but robust plugin system (Hot-Plug no supported) with dependency resolution as well as a simple messaging system (event propagation).

The Framework was created to provide myself with a quick-start project for simple applications that requires this functionality.

Features

• C++17
• CMake based build system
• Shared Common Library
• Generic Dependency Resolver
• Automated Plugin Registration
• Simple Extensible Messaging for events

Contents

• Executable
  • Contains the core functionality of the application
  • Owns the Plugin Manager and Message Manager
  • Loads and Unloads plugins
• Common
  • Contains shared functionality to be used between plugins and the application
  • Plugin Framework
  • Message Framework
  • Guid implementation
  • Dependency Resolver Implementation
• Plugin 1
  • Sample plugin, depends on Plugin 3
• Plugin 2
  • Sample plugin, depends on Plugin 1 and Plugin 3
• Plugin 3
  • Sample plugin, no dependencies

Building

Requirements

• Visual Studio 2022 (preferred) / (Any C++17 compatible compiler)
• CMake 3.8+
• Windows 10 / Windows 11

Steps

1. Clone the repository
2. Execute Generate_VS2022.cmd
3. Open the solution\PluginFramework.sln
4. Build Debug or Release

Contributions

Although this project was only developed to give myself a starting point for new applications that require this framework, I do welcome contributions that;

1. Simplify the implementations without sacrificing readability and/or functionality
2. Extend platform support without over-complicating or refactoring current implementations
3. Stabilize or other-wise fix errors/bugs in the machinery