Calling a C++/CLI method from C#

[zvivered]

Hello,

In C# I want to call a C++/CLI method that get 2 parameters:
The first parameter (int a) is passed "by value"
The second paramter (int *b) is passed 'by reference".
The second parameter is changed by this method and passes it back to C#

namespace SampleCLI 
{
	public ref class Class1
	{
		public:
			Class1()
			{
			};  // constructor
			int Open (int a,int *b)
			{
				*b=a;
				return 0;
			}
	};
}

When I tried to use this method in C# I got the error:
"Pointers and fixed size buffers may only be used in an unsafe context"

So in C# I wrote:

unsafe
{
         p.Open(5, &b);
}

Is it dangerous ? Can it harm the C# application ?

The goal: I have a C++ code running on embedded machine under vxWorks. This code compiles with an h file that contains several (large) structures.

My PC runs a C# code that talks with the other side using UDP. This code must be compiled with the same h file. I guess I need a C++/CLI dll for this purpose.

It it wise to use C# for this purpose ? I want to use the GUI benefits of C#.

Thanks.

[Alex F]

This is C++/CLI way to declare ref parameter:
int Open (int a,int% b)

About using C++/CLI: yes, your case is exactly matches the C++/CLI language purpose: interoperability between managed and unmanaged code.