Multiple Languages? 1

[Dogers]

Using Visual Studio.net, is it possible to compile code in from another language?
We're developing a VB.Net app, and have come across some C code which would aid us immensely, but dont know if its possible to compile it in along with the VB?

 

[sunaj]

The 'normal' way to go about that would be to compile the c code into a dll and call that from vb.net ...

Sunaj
'The gap between theory and practice is not as wide in theory as it is in practice'

 

[Dogers]

heh, how retarded, why didnt i think of dlls

probably because ive not used em before i guess - got any good links on how to create/call/use/abuse them?

 

[sunaj]

Not really, but I'm sure that you'll find stuff out there.

You have to have a minimum of C knowledge to do it.
You need a C compiler (could be visual studio).
1) define your export procedures/functions as '_stdcall'
2) Add an export library (.def) to you project, where you define the dll entry points (the procs/funcs) that you want to export.

Ultra simple example:

test.cpp
-----------------------------------------------
double_stdcall MyMul(double x, double y){
return x*y;
}
-----------------------------------------------
test.def
-----------------------------------------------
LIBRARY test.dll
DESCRIPTION "Export test."

EXPORTS
MyMul @1
-----------------------------------------------

Compile that into a dll and you can call is as any other com dll:
TestCdll.vb
-----------------------------------------------
Private Declare Function MyMul1 Lib "test.dll" (ByVal A As Double, ByVal B As Double) As Double
...
Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
MessageBox.Show(MyMul1(2, 2, 2).ToString)
End Sub
-----------------------------------------------
Good luck

Sunaj
'The gap between theory and practice is not as wide in theory as it is in practice'

 

[Dogers]

thanks!