# PR_LoadLibrary

Loads a referenced library.

## Syntax

```{code}
#include <prlink.h>

PRLibrary* PR_LoadLibrary(const char *name);
```

### Parameters

The function has this parameter:

`name`

: A platform-dependent character array that names the library to be
  loaded, as returned by {ref}`PR_GetLibraryName`.

### Returns

If successful, returns a reference to an opaque {ref}`PRLibrary` object.

If the operation fails, returns `NULL`. Use {ref}`PR_GetError` to find
the reason for the failure.

## Description

This function loads and returns a reference to the specified library.
The returned reference becomes the library's identity. The function
suppresses duplicate loading if the library is already known by the
runtime.

Each call to {ref}`PR_LoadLibrary` must be paired with a corresponding call
to {ref}`PR_UnloadLibrary` in order to return the runtime to its original
state.