Create external functions

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Hello,

We have an old C++ app creating an exe where our lab window can call this exe functions. This C++ app is so old, and we would like to rewrite again in C#. How can I create external functions in C# to substitute C++ functions so our main lab window application can call?

Thanks,

Trammy

Posted 25-Apr-12 13:52pm

Member 3027075

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[no name] 25-Apr-12 19:57pm

It's not very clear what it is that you want to do. You have a C++ exe that you want to call functions in from C#?
If you have a C++ DLL you can p/invoke the functions in C#.

Member 3027075 25-Apr-12 20:16pm

Wes,

We have an 15 years old C++ exe that our lab window application is calling. I would like to rewrite this C++ exe using C# that exposes the same function the C++ exe exposes.

I am familiar with DLL or OCX in C# but I don't think it can expose the same functions as C++ exe exposes.

-Trammy

[no name] 25-Apr-12 20:27pm

Sure you can write a C# exe that performs the same functionality that your C++ app does. I am not sure what you mean by "external functions". C++ exe do not export functions to the outside world (to the best of my knowledge). That is what DLLs are for.

Edit... having a lightbulb moment. Do you mean that your C++ exe acts as a server or service and your lab application sends commands to it via TCP or named pipes or other type of interprocess communication? C# fully supports that type of communication.

Shahin Khorshidnia 25-Apr-12 21:00pm

I think if you add up your 2 comments, you can post it as a solution.
Sorry that I can't vote here.
+5

[no name] 25-Apr-12 21:02pm

Thanks.... I would but I am still not sure what it is that he wants to do.

Shahin Khorshidnia 25-Apr-12 21:29pm

Yes, the question is a little vague.

Member 3027075 26-Apr-12 12:59pm

Sorry for the confusion. I will have clarify this question to my next post:

http://www.codeproject.com/Questions/374125/Cplusplus-to-Csharp-conversion-issue

Thanks,

Trammy

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Wes Aday · Answer 1 · 2012-04-25T15:09:00

It's not very clear what it is that you want to do. You have a C++ exe that you want to call functions in from C#? If you have a C++ DLL you can p/invoke the functions in C#.

Sure you can write a C# exe that performs the same functionality that your C++ app does. I am not sure what you mean by "external functions". C++ exe do not export functions to the outside world (to the best of my knowledge). That is what DLLs are for.

Edit... having a lightbulb moment. Do you mean that your C++ exe acts as a server or service and your lab application sends commands to it via TCP or named pipes or other type of interprocess communication? C# fully supports that type of communication.

After thinking about this I am fairly certain that what you are wanting to do is create a C# application that unitizes inter-process communication (IPC) to communicate with your lab application. This is fairly simple to do using the .NET TCP classes. I have no personal experience using the named pipes with .NET but I would imagine that they are probably pretty easy too. Certainly easier than the C++ counterparts.

This[^] would be a good place to start.

Mohammad A Rahman · Answer 2 · 2012-04-25T17:43:00

Solution 2

I think you might need to consider the example of C# Com interop [^]

Hope it helps :)

Posted 25-Apr-12 17:43pm

Mohammad A Rahman