C++/CLR - what do you think ?

[darwen]

Hi all again.

This I hope will turn into a good discussion.

I think the changes to the syntax are a good idea : at least it makes it obvious when your using managed code rather than using native.

However, the port of STL to managed STL I can't see much point to.

After all, if you're going to write managed code why not write it in C# which is designed for it.

For instance :

array<string ^> ^myArray;

becomes

array<string> myArray;

in C#.

I have to admit that the more code written using generics I read in C++/CLR the less readable I think the new syntax is.

I'm beginning to wonder whether the point to writing C++/CLR and more specifically Microsoft's decision to port STL to the new managed syntax isn't just a step by them designed to get the stick-in-the-muds of STL to accept managed code.

What do you think ?

Would you ever use managed C++ (personally I use C# for managed, C++ for native and use P/Invoke via COM) in preference to C# ?

Are there any reasons for using managed C++ in favour of using C# other than being able to interface seamlessly with existing native code ?

Darwen.