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serializing an object of the managed C++ wrapper class
Hello,
I am working on an ASP.NET web application in C# in which I had to use a native (pure) C++ class as it was. So I created a managed C++ wrapper class for this class. I create an object of this wrapper class and serialize it and pass it over the network using sockets. The problem is serialization of this object produces a runtime error.
This is my code.
--------------------------
#pragma once //(listParam.h) this is the unmanaged class
class listParam
{
char name[31];
public:
listParam(void){};
int getSize(){return 0};
};
--------------------------
#pragma once //(managed_cpp.h) this is the wrapper class.
using namespace System;
#include "..\native_cpp\listparam.h
namespace managed_cpp
{
public __gc class MlistParam
{
public:
MlistParam() { m_pC = new listParam(); }
int MgetSize() { return m_pC->getSize(); }
private:
listParam * m_pC; //I think C# can't serialize it because of this member.
};
}
--------------------------
//serialization code
managed_cpp.MlistParam packet = new managed_cpp.MlistParam();
System.IO.MemoryStream ms = new System.IO.MemoryStream();
BinaryFormatter bf = new BinaryFormatter();
bf.Serialize(ms, packet); //This line produces the following runtime error.
--------------------------
Exception Details: System.Runtime.Serializati
Please help. Thank you.
I am working on an ASP.NET web application in C# in which I had to use a native (pure) C++ class as it was. So I created a managed C++ wrapper class for this class. I create an object of this wrapper class and serialize it and pass it over the network using sockets. The problem is serialization of this object produces a runtime error.
This is my code.
--------------------------
#pragma once //(listParam.h) this is the unmanaged class
class listParam
{
char name[31];
public:
listParam(void){};
int getSize(){return 0};
};
--------------------------
#pragma once //(managed_cpp.h) this is the wrapper class.
using namespace System;
#include "..\native_cpp\listparam.h
namespace managed_cpp
{
public __gc class MlistParam
{
public:
MlistParam() { m_pC = new listParam(); }
int MgetSize() { return m_pC->getSize(); }
private:
listParam * m_pC; //I think C# can't serialize it because of this member.
};
}
--------------------------
//serialization code
managed_cpp.MlistParam packet = new managed_cpp.MlistParam();
System.IO.MemoryStream ms = new System.IO.MemoryStream();
BinaryFormatter bf = new BinaryFormatter();
bf.Serialize(ms, packet); //This line produces the following runtime error.
--------------------------
Exception Details: System.Runtime.Serializati
Please help. Thank you.
If you don't need to serialize m_pC member, mark is with NonSerialized attribute.
If you need to serialize it by some custom way, derive MlistParam from ISerializable and implement your own serialization logic in ISerializable functions.
If you need to serialize it by some custom way, derive MlistParam from ISerializable and implement your own serialization logic in ISerializable functions.
ASKER
Thanks.
I need to serialize the object of the listParam (native C++ class) because ultimately I need to send that object over the network. How do I do that?
Do I need to serialize the object of its managed C++ wrapper class which contains just a pointer (m_pC ) to its native C++ object? Do I need to serialize the pointer? because that pointer is causing the problem.
Please help.
I need to serialize the object of the listParam (native C++ class) because ultimately I need to send that object over the network. How do I do that?
Do I need to serialize the object of its managed C++ wrapper class which contains just a pointer (m_pC ) to its native C++ object? Do I need to serialize the pointer? because that pointer is causing the problem.
Please help.
You need to convert this pointer to some well-known type, like String^. Pointer itself cannot be serialized, because after deserialization it points to arbitrary memory location. Read about serialization here:
http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/objserial.asp
This is C#, but any C++ developer understands C#. Read "Define Serialization functions" paragraph. When object is serialized (GetObjectData), extract name from m_pC, convert is to String^ and write to SerializationInfo. When object is deserialized (constructor with SerializationInfo parameter), read String^ from SerializationInfo, create new listParam instance, convert String^ to char* and fill name field.
http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/objserial.asp
This is C#, but any C++ developer understands C#. Read "Define Serialization functions" paragraph. When object is serialized (GetObjectData), extract name from m_pC, convert is to String^ and write to SerializationInfo. When object is deserialized (constructor with SerializationInfo parameter), read String^ from SerializationInfo, create new listParam instance, convert String^ to char* and fill name field.
ASKER
Thanks Alex. I am going to read it now.
The native C++ class listParam contains 4 private members and a few functions, which I didn't mention before.
Sorry about that. I just want to make sure if that changes the way its serialization should be implemented.
class listParam
{
char name[31];
bool include;
short size;
char dummy[64*1024];
public:
listParam(void);
~listParam(void);
bool isInclude();
int getSize();
void addString(const char *str);
const char *getString(char **p);
}
The native C++ class listParam contains 4 private members and a few functions, which I didn't mention before.
Sorry about that. I just want to make sure if that changes the way its serialization should be implemented.
class listParam
{
char name[31];
bool include;
short size;
char dummy[64*1024];
public:
listParam(void);
~listParam(void);
bool isInclude();
int getSize();
void addString(const char *str);
const char *getString(char **p);
}
Convert all these members to something that .NET knows: String^, array<Byte>^ etc. and implement serialization/deserializat
ASKER
Thanks. When I send it over the network, on the other side, there is going to be just the native C++ class (listParam) code. There is no C# once the object is sent, so it will be deserialized using C++. My job is just to send it from my side.
ASKER
so should I convert all these members of the C++ class to their .NET equivalent in the wrapper? How will C++ deserialize the native C++ class object then?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Thanks Alex. I will try this out. I have been given something else to work on right now. Thanks for your quick responses.
I will get back to you soon.
I will get back to you soon.
ASKER
I am looking into messagequeue class in .NET.
http://www.codeproject.com/dotnet/Surrogate_Serialization.asp