Win API .NET library?

Question

I see DllImport everywhere. I see everybody declaring Win API methods in their projects. Why doesn't people put every Win API method declaration in a .NET library and use it instead? Is there any such library? Is it open source?

Some of the Windows 7 APIs have made it into .NET 4, readily available to WPF developers. — BoltClock, Feb 28 '11 at 19:35
I'm building a library like this as we speak...It's a long job! — Matthew Layton, Oct 10 '12 at 10:59

score 5 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 28 '11 at 19:27

5

Because this would be a huge library, and no one needs to call all of the Win API methods.

The closest thing that I know of is pinvoke.net.

Many specific APIs have .NET wrappers, if you look around (ESENT, IIS management, SQL management and more).

answered Feb 28 '11 at 19:27

Oded

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See also the PInvoke Signature Generator tool: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5122410/accessing-windows-api-constants-and-structs-for-p-invoke/5122534#5122534 – Mark Sowul Feb 28 '11 at 19:39
NET is a huge library. I doubt it would increase much in size if it included those wrappers. – Jader Dias Feb 28 '11 at 20:58

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 28 '11 at 19:26

4

The WindowsAPICodePack comes close for many things.

answered Feb 28 '11 at 19:26

Mark Sowul

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+1 Although specifically that's many of the new Windows 7/Vista features. – BoltClock Feb 28 '11 at 19:36

Win API .NET library?

2 Answers2