How does CLR recognizes manage code?

Question

Hi,

How does CLR recognizes managed code from unmanaged code?

Thanks

SNA

Answer 1

There are flags in the PE that indicate managed code.

Microsoft's .NET Framework has extended the PE format with features which support the Common Language Runtime. Among the additions are a CLR Header and CLR Data section. Upon loading a binary, the OS loader yields execution to the CLR via a reference in the PE/COFF IMPORT table. The CLR then loads the CLR Header and Data sections.