Accessing Existing Vc++ API from .NET C# or VC++.NET

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

vemulakiran@gmail.com - 14 Jul 2005 14:06 GMT

Hi all,
I have doubt regarding .NET.
I have a tool which was developed on VC++ 6.0(Win32 Application ).
The application communicates with library (API) which was developed on
VC++ 6.0 called core client.
I am planning to develop the tool or Win32 application on .NET
platform and I dont' want to migrate the VC++ library (API) to .NET.
The new .NET tool should use the previous VC++ library API ( core
client ).
Is there any possibility to call VC++ 6.0 source file ( .CPP ) or
APIs from .NET ( C# or VC++.NET )..? IF so, would u please suggest me a
usefull link or tell me How can I do it. I dont' want to make the
existing VC++ core client into DLL and add it as a reference to .NET
project.

Thanks for you kindly help
Regards
Kiran

Reply to this Message

William DePalo [MVP VC++] - 14 Jul 2005 17:53 GMT

> I have doubt regarding .NET.
> I have a tool which was developed on VC++ 6.0(Win32 Application ).
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> existing VC++ core client into DLL and add it as a reference to .NET
> project.

Well, IMO, the most straight-forward thing to do is to expose a DLL
interface to the library. That done, you can use the facility known as
Platform Invoke from C# as described here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/csref/html/vcwl
kplatforminvoketutorial.asp

and here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/cpguide/html/cp
conacloserlookatplatforminvoke.asp

Alternatively you can use Managed C++ (or C++/CLI if you use VS.Net 2005 in
beta now) to create a managed class which can take advantage of what is
called "It just works" (aka IJW) which describes the ability of managed C++
to call unmanaged C++ almost by magic. No other .Net language lets you do
that. That done, your managed C++ class can be consumed by C# clients or
VB.Net clients or any other managed client.

There are issues, however, in developing mixed mode applications. See this
for the details:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dv_vstechart/ht
ml/vcconMixedDLLLoadingProblem.asp

Regards,
Will

Reply to this Message

Rate this thread:

Accessing Existing Vc++ API from .NET C# or VC++.NET

Free Magazines