Angus wrote:
Hello
I have written all code for a client server application in C++. It is
standard C++ written using Visual Studio v6. Basically C++ and STL.
I want to provide a .NET interface for those developers who use vb.net, C#,
etc.
Can anyone give me some pointers as to how to get started. Do I need to
purchase the .NET Visual Studio? How much .NET will I need to learn? Any
resources on how to write a .NET wrapper around C++ classes?
There are several possible solutions:
AFAIK you can use the free Visual C++ Express edition, but I couldn't
figure out if this compiler supports C++/CLI (the C++ .NET extensions),
otherwise you would have to purchase the edition supporting it.
By the way the name Visual C++ .NET is somewhat misleading, since it's
still a native C++ compiler, with some .NET extensions.
You should at least have some basic knowledge about .NET. Memory
handling, .NET framework and the basic data structures / lists. etc.
Additionally you should have a good knowledge about C++/CLI - a standard
ized extension for C++ to access / provide access for .NET.
I would suggest you to start with C# (free express edition available)
and play around with the .NET framework, to get familiar with the
framework and garbage collection. You have to use C# anyways to check
your C++/CLI wrappers.
After that you should get familiar with C++/CLI, which you will use to
wrap your native C++ classes.
You may have a look at STL/CLR (the .NET compatible implementation of
the STL) too.
Hope this helps to start.
Angus
p.s. If there are more appropriate newsgroups please let me know.
Andre
