Using COM for RPC from C++ to C#

Question

I need to implement a class in C++ that can call a C# function from unmanaged C++ and return a value. I've done this from C++ to C++ using MIDL/RPC binding over named pipe which works great but now my server application is moving to C# but the client must remain unmanaged C++ (it's an explorer extension).

I've looked at various methods and lots of people suggest COM, it was my understanding that COM was not so much for IPC/RPC but for hosting a served object in a client app. Is this going to be possible with COM, if so, can anyone point me in the direction of a good reference or example?

EDIT:

Just to be clear, I cannot use managed code as the client (DLL) is loaded into Explorer's process space.

What I am trying to achieve is when the user right-clicks on a file the extension will ask a running service (session 0) for some details about the file. This was previously done via RPC in a C++ <-> C++ client/server. Now the server has been upgraded to C# but I'm not sure what my options are. Is COM an option?

Thanks, J

COM uses RPC when necessary, in out-of-process or cross-apartment cases. Not having to wrangle RPC is of course very nice. There are not enough details in your question to even tell if this applies. — Hans Passant
– Hans Passant, Commented Oct 19, 2011 at 12:26

Naszta · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-19 12:59:38Z

2

Use mixed CLR and native C++ DLL. Check MSDN and tools.

Native and .NET Interoperability

answered Oct 19, 2011 at 12:59

Naszta

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8 Comments

JWood Over a year ago

I can't use the CLR in my extension as it is loaded into the Explorer process space. blogs.msdn.com/b/junfeng/archive/2005/11/18/494572.aspx

Naszta Over a year ago

@JWood: What do you want to use from .net? Own module?

JWood Over a year ago

I need to call a function in a running C# service to retrieve information about a file when the user right-clicks in Explorer. WCF achieves this nicely via named pipes but how can unmanaged C++ call a function in a running C# service?

Naszta Over a year ago

@JWood: for IPC I usually use TCP/IP and XML. They are future proof and system independent.

JWood Over a year ago

It doesn't need to be system independent, this is Windows only and there is a lot of overhead involved with building TPC/IP and XML libraries into an Explorer extension. This was going to be my last resort but with COM being suggested often I wanted to explore the possibility.

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