Importing C++ Class in C#

[lmoreault]

Hi,

I was wondering if there was an easy way to import a C++ (Dll Exported)
Class in a C#/.Net program so I could call :

MyClass oMyClass = new MyClass(); //MyClass is coming from the C++ DllExport

I know how to import a static function with
[DllImport("myDll.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto]
public static extern myFunc();

But I would really like to know how to import a whole class and all of its public methods.

Thank you

[Arjay]

You can't import a C++ class into C#, you can only import C-styled dll functions.

The closest you can get is to create a COM dll with an interface (similar to the C++ class) and import the COM dll into C#.

[nelo]

I was wondering if there was an easy way to import a C++ (Dll Exported)
Class in a C#/.Net program so I could call :

MyClass oMyClass = new MyClass(); //MyClass is coming from the C++ DllExport

I know how to import a static function with
[DllImport("myDll.dll", CharSet = CharSet.Auto]
public static extern myFunc();

But I would really like to know how to import a whole class and all of its public methods.

Thank you

Why do you want to import the class in a C# application? If you really need to use the methods in the C++ class you will have to write a wrapper C++ based DLL that exposes the methods so that you can P/Invoke or you can wrapp it up in a COM DLL. The COM dll approach will make it easier to you within a C# application.

[lmoreault]

I already have the C++ source,

how do I wrap my whole class then so I could use it in a Managed environment ?

A short example would be... in C++
I have that class..

class myClass {
      public:
            int getInt();
            void setInt(int nInt);

      private:
            int nMyint;
            char cMychar;

}

Then once in C#, I could use my C++ code so that I could do:

myClass oMyInstance = new myClass();
oMyInstance.setInt(23);
oMyInstance.getInt();
//bla bla bla

I have found a way to do it with static functions built in C++ (by exporting it to a DLL) but can't manage to export/import a whole class.

Thanks a lot

[Arjay]

I have found a way to do it with static functions built in C++ (by exporting it to a DLL) but can't manage to export/import a whole class.

This is because you cannot import a C++ class into C#. You have already been told of the options in previous replies.

[MadHatter]

look up C++/CLI and wrap the native C++ code with C++/CLI code and compile it to a .net assembly and use it in your C# class (where you can use the class like you normally would).

[lmoreault]

I have wrapped my native C++ class in a C++/CLI class (thank you for your patience by the way).

But now, can't seem to find a way to use my new WrapperClass in my C# application, any clue on how to do it ?

Best regard again and sorry for my beginner question.

[STLDude]

You have to add reference in your C# project to dll which contains your managed code.

[lmoreault]

Thanks STLDude,

I have done that, it now works perfectly