DLLs: Import dynamic or static

Both techniques have their advantages.
Static importing means you define functions like this:

function f : integer;
   external 'mydll.dll';

• It is easy - it does not require ugly code.
• The application will only start up if all DLLs are present and can be loaded (this could also be considered a negative)
• All functions across all modules are bound during startup time.

• It basically gives you full control over the usage of the DLL. If your DLL is only needed rarely for a seldomly used function, you may not want to load it at startup of your application. Your application will start faster then.
• If the application will work without that DLL to a usable extent, you may allow the user to do so.
• If you have different DLLs for different environments, for example one for Windows NT, another one for Windows 95 etc, then you MUST bind dynamic - you determine the operating system and load the DLL that you want.
• dynamic binding allows you to release the DLL if you do not need it anymore