I want to create a dll from a C++ code and the use it in C#. Is there a solution of creating COM object from C++ ?
I don't want to use System.Runtime.InteropServices.
Many thanks
Of course that you can write COM+ objects with C++. Here's a tutorial.
You can write COM directly (see #Darin Dimitrov's answer), but you can also use ATL. My favorite solution to expose C++ code to C# (without COM though) is to use C++/CLI.
There are 3 ways to go about it.
1) Use PInvoke from C# to call into native methods.
2) Use C++-CLI to create a layer that exposes native functionality to C#. This is my recommended approach performance wise.
3) Write the C++ dll as a COM object and access from C#. Requires COM knowledge and hence developement cost.
you can use ATL , it too easy and you just have to register the dll . after that you can use it in all c# programms
Related
i'm exploring the idea of use .net as a scripting language for my program.
i found a lot of examples on internet that shows how to host .net and then, from c++ call functions from .net.
But i need to go on the other way too, from this code in c#, i need to be able to create/call c++'s objects from this c# script, so i need to expose functions/objects to control it from C#.
How can i do it?
Simple Example to show what i'm talking about
I call my c++ method "CreateGUI". It'll call .net code: "InitializeGUI", and this "InitializeGUI" need to check if an object (for example, the texture) is instantiated inside C++.
Can someone help me?
Thanks!
If you use managed C++, you can create a managed C++ component which can be called from your C# code. If you use unmanaged C++, you can either create a C++ COM component and use it through C# via RCW (Runtime Callable Wrapper) mechanism or you can create a C++ dll and call it from C# via PInvoke.
You might also investigate Mono, which is explicitly intended to be embedded and will run any compiled .NET assembly, meaning the full powers of C#, VB.NET, even F# will be available.
I have some code in C# which I want to use in other project (coded in C++).
From what I researched, I need to create a .lib but MSVS only creates .dll (I think..). I think is possible to use the .dll by using LoadLibrary() over C++ but seems not very friendly.
1 - Can I create the .lib in MSVS? If not, how can I create it.
2 - What is the best way to integrate the code? By the .lib or using .dll + LoadLibrary()?
The easiest option, honestly, is to use C++/CLI. That lets you use both object systems (.NET, and traditional C++ with its standard template library).
Is it managed C++ ? If so you can directly add a reference to the C# dll and use it.
What you need is a com compliant class in c#:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/C-3307/2008/2/Using-C-class-C.htm
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/deeptanshuv/archive/2005/06/26/432870.aspx
One possibility is to make your C# code Managed COM compliant. Then use the standard COM api's (QueryInterface etc) to call the C# COM code.
The codeproject sample may be useful
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/cs/ManagedCOM.aspx
I have a native C++ DLL using DirectX, that I want to be able to use through C# to be able to create content creation tools.
Adding COM would require quite an effort it seems.
Can P/Invoke be used to maintain classes using polymorphism, or would it require me to wrap most of the code to facilitate use of P/Invoke?
It there a better solution is available? Or should I even consider writing the tools in C++ using Qt perhaps?
I always feel that C++/CLI is always the best option when doing C# to C++ interop. You can easily create thin wrappers for an unmanaged library that will look exactly like a managed library to your C# code. It also gives you more control over how marshaling and pinning is performed.
There are ways to automatically generate C++/CLI I believe, but I've never used them.
More info on C++/CLI here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc163681.aspx
I presume rendering with D3D directly from C# isn't an option? (because that certainly would be easier!)
A long time ago, I used SWIG to automatically maintain C# "bindings" of my C++ rendering DLL code. It uses P/Invoke to expose the C++ objects on the C# side, and you won't have to maintain that code anymore.
You don't need to write wrap on QT.
I advice you to write Observer class both in C# & C++, and hide calls of Native functions to it.
Schema is like this
Your code in C# -> Observer(C#) -> Native call to Observer(C++) -> Calls to your dll.
In my project I got a device which comes with C++ Sample codes. The codes are ok and the device is working as expected.
But I need it to talk with my C# interface because all other devices are currently using C# interface.
So I am planning to create a DLL Wrapper for the driver. I will create a C++ Library of my own (from source code with proper interface) and Call this C++ Library from C# using DLLImport (just call my interfaces there.).
I am pretty sure it can be done this way, but I have never created a C++ Library and used it from C# yet. So, can anyone refer me to some tutorial that goes with my problem?
I am using C++/C# int VS.NET 2008.
Regards,
Maksud
Have a look at
using a class defined in a c++ dll in c# code
Another useful tool you have at your disposal is C++ CLI.
You can use C++ CLI to create an intermediate library - one that exposes managed classes but runs unmanaged C++ code. You can actually mix managed and unmanaged C++ in the same DLL.
The unmanaged portion can accesses the unmanaged DLLs without having to use the PInvoke functions.
Your C# code can access the managed classes in this intermediate library.
Depending on the DLL and what you need to do you may not need to create a wrapper directly. You might be able to get away with P/Invoke for the functions. You will need to evaluate your specific needs and what is already available in the libraries/code provided.
For anyone who comes to this question and are looking for answers, you may want to try xInterop NGen++ , a C# wrapper generator for native C++ DLL, which has been just released to the public, the tool can generate C# wrapper for native C++ DLL automatically and instantly by using advanced P/Invoke technologies. Check out the current version and a free version will be out soon.
(I am the author of the tool)
I have a C# class library that contains methods that need to be used with an external application. Unfortunately this external application only supports external APIs in C/C++.
Suppose I have a takeIntReturnDoubleArray method in this C# library that takes an integer and returns an array of doubles. All I need to do is have a C++ method that takes an integer, calls the C# library and returns an array of doubles to the calling application.
So in essence the C++ library is just acting as an intermediary between the C# wrapper and the external application.
Is there an easy way to do this? Do I have to do anything special on the C# side to allow it to be imported into C++ easily? I have seen some talk of using the #import statement but I really have no idea what I am doing when it comes to C++.
What is the approach I should be taking here?
You have two main options here:
C++\CLI - this allows you to have both managed and unmanaged code in the same source file. The managed portion can then call the C# code.
COM Interop - expose your .NET type as a COM interface and matching coclass which you can easily use from unmanaged C++.
COM Interop is one way to approach this problem. You'll have to have a COM layer for the C# library function(s) you want to expose to the C++ application. This (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa302324.aspx#usingframeworktools_topic10) might be of interest.