How can I add C++ Source Files and Headers to a C# .Net project?

Question

I want to make use of the HIDAPI library for a home-brewed USB device. Rather than having to compile the VC++ project into its own .dll and reference it in the .Net project I have, I would prefer to just have the code present within the .Net project and be able to reference it directly.

The reason is I want to avoid having a .dll referencing another .dll, and instead just have a single .dll file.

I've done it in reverse, sort of, where I have used a C# class within a C++ program when I was doing some JNI stuff.

Is what I am trying to do here possible? Is there an idiots guide to using C++ in .Net projects somewhere?

you need to wrap it since .net is managed code and most c++ is unmanaged. — Daniel A. White, Mar 16 '15 at 22:08
There is facility to merge .NET dlls together: [ILMerge](http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/people/mbarnett/ilmerge.aspx). But you can't native and managed together. — Nathan Cooper, Mar 16 '15 at 22:10
Ahhh. Just found another one it's a dup of: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1854290/combine-native-dll-and-assembly-into-a-single-dll — Nathan Cooper, Mar 16 '15 at 22:16

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 16 '15 at 22:12

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"Is what I am trying to do here possible?"

No, it isn't possible this way. These sources can't be compiled within the same project type. You need to have a separate project for the c++/cli assembly, and refer to this one being imported by your c# project.

edited Mar 16 '15 at 22:12

Warty

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answered Mar 16 '15 at 22:09

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Also check out http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1933210/c-cli-why-should-i-use-it for more information. – Warty Mar 16 '15 at 22:13

Nathan Cooper · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-16T22:20:04.737

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Wait, there is a yes answer, but obviously it's completely evil:

How do I mix C# and C++ code in a single assembly?

If your C++ code is not compiled with /clr:safe (i.e. it is compiled with /clr or /clr:pure), do the following:

1) compile your C++ code into .obj files

2) compile your C# code into a .netmodule, using /AddModule to reference the C++ .obj files

3) link the C# netmodule directly with the C++ object files using the C++ linker to create a mixed language assembly

Also this: Linking native C++ into C# applications

Yeah, don't do that.

edited Mar 16 '15 at 22:20

answered Mar 16 '15 at 22:16

Nathan Cooper

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both dead links – Chris Hayes May 24 '22 at 19:32

How can I add C++ Source Files and Headers to a C# .Net project?

2 Answers2

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