foobar2000 SDK

Developing tools or plugins for foobar2000 can be made a whole lot easier, if you resort to foobar2000 SDK, a kit providing you with all the instruments necessary for programming utilities that will then be compatible with the audio player, particularly with version 1.3, as compatibility with earlier or later versions is not guaranteed.

The kit can be used with Visual Studio, ranging from 2010 to 2015 (except version 2013), so you can easily resort to your environment of choice when working with it.

The downloaded archive comprises several folders, each with distinct libraries and components, as well as some helpful documentation that can get you started in working with foobar2000 SDK.

The provided components need to link against the SDK project, the component client project (which comprises the DLL entrypoint), and the ‘shared.dll’ file. It also features the PFC folder, which contains a helper class library that is not specific to any particular operating system.

Moreover, some components can work with helper libraries, namely SDK and ATL helpers, the last of which requires Windows Template Library. Some of these include their source code, enabling you to link against them with ease.

What is quite useful about the detailed documentation that comes with foobar2000 SDK is that fact that most components’ role is carefully indicated, as well as their general structure, enabling programmers to get the hang of working with them in little to no time, particularly if compared to going in blind and with no knowledge of their purpose.

In broad lines, a foobar2000 SDK component, generally a DLL file with clear specifications, is made up of services, entry point services and service extensions.

The documentation will also instruct you on how to use the autopointer template and exceptions, or how to store configurations, use global callback services or ensure service class design guidelines were observed.