Accessing C++ functions in C#

[James Crouch]

A couple of questions that probably has been asked before but I can't find
anything on the newsgroup. I have a communication SDK file written in C and
C++ that I am trying to access via C#. Is there an easy way to do this? If
not, should I just rewrite the SDK in C#?

Thanks.

James

[Tim Haughton]

"James Crouch" <ja**********@wpafb.af.mil> wrote in message
news:u3*************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

A couple of questions that probably has been asked before but I can't find
anything on the newsgroup. I have a communication SDK file written in C and C++ that I am trying to access via C#. Is there an easy way to do this? If not, should I just rewrite the SDK in C#?

There are undoubtedly some horrid ways to access C++ directly from C#. The
best way though would be to write a managed C++ wrapper for your SDK. It
would be very quick and painless.

--
Regards,

Tim Haughton

Agitek
http://agitek.co.uk
http://blogitek.com/timhaughton

[Ignacio Machin \( .NET/ C# MVP \)]

Hi,

depend of how it's implemented,
if it's a COM component you can access it very easily.

if it's a native dll, you can use P/Invoke with this you can get in trouble
dealing with memory allocation, converting data from managed to unmanaged
memory , etc , how easy ( or how ) complicated depend of the library itself.

of course, the idea of rewrite all in c# is valid too :)

cheers,

--
Ignacio Machin,
ignacio.machin AT dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department Of Transportation

"James Crouch" <ja**********@wpafb.af.mil> wrote in message
news:u3*************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

A couple of questions that probably has been asked before but I can't find
anything on the newsgroup. I have a communication SDK file written in C
and C++ that I am trying to access via C#. Is there an easy way to do
this? If not, should I just rewrite the SDK in C#?

Thanks.

James

[James Crouch]

Tim,

Where would I find instructions on how to write a managed C++ wrapper?

James

"Tim Haughton" <ti*********@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:Jq*******************@fe08.news.easynews.com. ..

"James Crouch" <ja**********@wpafb.af.mil> wrote in message
news:u3*************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

A couple of questions that probably has been asked before but I can't
find
anything on the newsgroup. I have a communication SDK file written in C

and

C++ that I am trying to access via C#. Is there an easy way to do this?

If

not, should I just rewrite the SDK in C#?

There are undoubtedly some horrid ways to access C++ directly from C#. The
best way though would be to write a managed C++ wrapper for your SDK. It
would be very quick and painless.

--
Regards,

Tim Haughton

Agitek
http://agitek.co.uk
http://blogitek.com/timhaughton

[Willy Denoyette [MVP]]

"James Crouch" <ja**********@wpafb.af.mil> wrote in message
news:u3*************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

A couple of questions that probably has been asked before but I can't find
anything on the newsgroup. I have a communication SDK file written in C
and C++ that I am trying to access via C#. Is there an easy way to do
this? If not, should I just rewrite the SDK in C#?

Thanks.

James

It depends, C# can call exported "C functions", that is functions with "C
linkage" exported from a native DLL can be called through the PInvoke
interop layer (see MSDN for details, search PInvoke and DllImport).
C++ class members however cannot be accesses directly, however unmanaged
classes can be wrapped by a managed equivalent and as such be consumed by
C#.
Consult MSDN for detailed info on both PInvoke and native interop at:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms140906

Willy.

[Jeff Louie]

You may be able to use COM interop
http://www.geocities.com/Jeff_Louie/...op/atl_com.htm

Or use PInvoke
http://www.geocities.com/Jeff_Louie/...op/pinvoke.htm

Regards,
Jeff

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[Tim Haughton]

"James Crouch" <ja**********@wpafb.af.mil> wrote in message
news:%2****************@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...

Tim,

Where would I find instructions on how to write a managed C++ wrapper?

James

Start here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...art1_Start.asp

It's a lot easier than writing a COM wrapper IMHO. But then I've never been
a COM fan. Any problems, post back. This is something I've done quite a bit
and it's a well trodden path.

--
Regards,

Tim Haughton

Agitek
http://agitek.co.uk
http://blogitek.com/timhaughton