What type of project needs to be created for C++/CLI?

c#, c++-cli, visual-c++, visual-studio-2008

Solution

You have to create the project of type Class Library. The most important thing is to specify the "Common Language Runtime Support" option (set to "Common Language Runtime Support (/clr)") in the Project Properties -> Configuration Properties -> General

This will allow you to use the

#pragma managed
... use your native stuff here
#pragma unmanaged

pragmas and link with the native .lib files.

See this link for subtle details

http://www.codeguru.com/cpp/cpp/cpp_managed/interop/article.php/c6867/Consuming-Unmanaged-C-Class-Libraries-from-NET-Clients.htm

There is a catch (not mentioned in this article) for 64-bit builds. The "Linker->Input->Force Symbol References" must be set to "_DllMainCRTStartup" for 64-bit and to "_DllMainCRTStartup@12" for 32-bit.

Problem

I am writing a wrapper for my native C++ methods in C++/CLI which will expose them to C#. Now I am using Visual Studio 2008. Can any one tell me what type of project I need to create so that my wrapper will be exposed to C#. I see in Visual Studio 2008 there are different types of projects under Visual C++--->CLR----> ``` class library, CLR Empty Project, Windows form control library, CLR Console Application, Windows Forms Application, Windows Service ``` Which one should I use?

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