How to use managed code from unmanaged code?

Question

How do I call a .NET code from native C++ (unmanaged code)? I want to expose .NET code to my unmanaged (C++) application and then use them. More specifically, I want to call C# from native C++ :). I know there are many ways but can you tell me the pros and cons of each? By the way, I don't want to use COM so what are the options now?

Is it possible that I wrap the C# code in C++/CLI and then call it from C++? If so, how do I do that? How do I wrap the C# in C++/CLI and then call it from C++?

Answer 1

You could expose the managed component as COM object.

Answer 2

Check How to call a managed DLL from native Visual C++ code in Visual Studio.NET or in Visual Studio 2005

Answer 3

I've written about it just recently. It was about Delphi, but that doesn't mean it won't work with C++ as well.

.NET component in DELPHI 2009

Even without knowing much about C++, I still know that IUnknown and COM-compatible interface references should be usable just fine from C++ (in the case you need to pass objects, not just structures).

• You can use Microsoft's C++/CLI to reference your C# code and export it as ordinary DLL functions.
• You can also download an MSBuild task I wrote, that allows you to export function directly from C#. Analogous to how DllImportAttribute is used.

This C# code would export a function "YourExportName" that can be used just like any c-compatible function would be used.

---

class Sample
{
   [DllExport("YourExportName")]
   static int TestFunction(int left, int right)
   {
     return left + right;
   }
}

Answer 4

You can always embed Mono. I have personally done it in two projects so far and it's easy enough. Follow Embedding Mono for more information.