Thread: Interop between C++ and C#

  1. #1
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    Interop between C++ and C#

    Hello,

    I have been looking high and low for information about this and haven't had any luck yet. I am creating an application in C++ that uses a C# DLL to connect to a database and return information back to the C++. Incidentally, I will need to send an instance of one of the classes i created in C++ to the C# as well.
    Is this possible, and if so, can someone give me some tips please?? it would be greatly appreciated!

    thanks in advance

  2. #2
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    It's definately possibly in .NET (in fact that was one of the primary goals of .NET), and since you're using C#, I assume you are in a .NET environment. All I can tell you is that it IS possible - I tried learning myself a while back but I gave up. Keep looking though.

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    I have checked with everyone at my office and i've still had no luck! Of course, going the other way (Managed C++ wrapper for use in C# ) is easy...but the other way arnd...!?!?

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    I search on MSDN and found a wealth of information - including some demos between C# and VB - that should get you there.

  5. #5
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    Well, it's pretty much the same as using C++ classes in C#. I.e. you write Managed C++ code that calls the C# stuff, but in an unmanaged C++ class. You write an unmanaged wrapper class which contains managed code.

    The question I ask myself, though, is, why would you want to do that in the first place?
    All the buzzt!
    CornedBee

    "There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
    - Flon's Law

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    ahhh...good question -- unfortunately those are just the requirements of the system and there's just no way around it! (believe me, i tried suggesting what you said -- i agree, it makes sense)

    an unmanaged wrapper? i'll read into it. I found this article:
    http://www.csharpfriends.com/Article...x?articleID=42
    and in it, it mentions the use of "tlbexp.exe" to create a type library file for the C# portion. I have found tlbexp.exe, but my question is very basic...does anyone know what exactly i'm supposed to do with it? how do i use it??

  7. #7
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    Ah, yes. Visual C# has the option to create a COM wrapper DLL automatically. This allows you to use the C# classes like COM objects. I'm not sure, I think it also creates C/C++ header files for you to include.
    tlbexp.exe goes beyond this and creates a type library, which allows the C# classes to be used as an Automation object, that is, from the Windows Scripting Host.
    All the buzzt!
    CornedBee

    "There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
    - Flon's Law

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    Really!! how do i create the COM wrapper automatically? i can't seem to find any good advice about it on the web...

  9. #9
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
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    From what I see, it creates it automatically. The ClassID is the same as the class name. However, there's a project option you have to activate if you want the thing to be registered automatically, and believe me, you don't want to do that by hand.

    You need the C# sources for that, of course.
    All the buzzt!
    CornedBee

    "There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
    - Flon's Law

  10. #10
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    I got it! I had to use the template provided by .Net (ComClass) which provides the interface outline for me and then tweak it a little to fit my functions. whew....now onto converting "_bstr_t" string into std::string ....

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