Win32 dll

Question

Is it possible to compile a pure Win32 dll from C# without using C++.net? I need to export a few methods to a 3rd party app that chokes on COM dlls. Also the search feature of the forum seems to be broken: all I ever get is "The page cannot be found" Thanks, Francis

francisgg · Answer

It looks like I'll have to dive into C++. Thank you for your answers Simon. Francis

shimtanny · Answer

oh... i think i got the wrong way round you wannt to call managed code from your unmanaged code... I'm not sure if this is possible... Cheers Simon

shimtanny · Answer

Hi again.... The right way would be to write a managed wrapper in mc++ (managed c++) that handles the unmanaged part and gives you a bridge to the managed part. The easier way is to use P/Invoke that gives you the possibility to call unmanaged (=win32) code from managed code (=.net). Google is full of P/Invoke articles... http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/03/07/NET/ Hope i helped a bit. Cheers Simon

francisgg · Answer

Simon Thanks for your help. I cannot use COM with this 3rd party application. So if .NET cannot compile a Win32 dll then can C++ with .NET extensions compile one? (it would connect to my C# methods and properties and expose C methods) Any pointers on how I should do this? I haven't programmed in C for 16+ years. Thanks Francis

shimtanny · Answer

Hi If you write a library with c# (and .net framework) the resulting dll will be a .net assembly. So it is not possible to compile c# code to a win32 dll... But interoprability of .net and com components should not be a problem. a.) use com types in .net http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/cpguide/html/cpconcominteropsamplenetclientcomserver.asp b.) use .net types in com types http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/cpguide/html/cpconexposingnetframeworkcomponentstocom.asp I hope i helped a little bit. Cheers Simon