Working with C++ collections from .NET DLL

This article provides an introduction to cross-technology handling of collections. Data structures are one of the essential aspects of every piece of software. Any application constantly process various information, that very often require specific grouping and access strategies. This aspect is addressed by arrays and more advanced collection types. By using the Javonet framework, users gain ability to easily and effectively work with data structures originating from .NET DLL. Every collection from .NET DLL is treated as reference.

Javonet allows you to reference and use modules or packages written in (Java/Kotlin/Groovy/Clojure, C#/VB.NET, Ruby, Perl, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript) like they were created in your technology. If have not yet created your first project check Javonet overview and quick start guides for your technology.

With Javonet you can interact with collections from .NET DLL like they were available in C++ but invocation must be performed through Javonet SDK API.

Working with C++ lists from .NET DLL

Javonet SDK contains various methods to interact with lists and consume the results in C++:

#include "Javonet.h"
#include <iostream>
#include <vector>

using namespace JavonetNS::Cpp::Sdk;

std::string resourcesDirectory = ".";

int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {

    // use Activate only once in your app
    Javonet::Activate("your-license-key");
    
    // create called runtime context
    auto calledRuntime = Javonet::InMemory()->Netcore();
    
    // get string type
    auto stringType = calledRuntime->GetType("System.String");
    
    // get generic class with string type as parameter
    auto typeList = calledRuntime->GetType("System.Collections.Generic.List`1", stringType)->Execute();
    
    // create instance of generic class
    auto list = typeList->CreateInstance()->Execute();
    
    //invoke instance methods
    list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "one")->Execute();
    list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "two")->Execute();
    list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "three")->Execute();
    list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "four")->Execute();
    list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "five")->Execute();
    list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "six")->Execute();
    
    // get elements from list
    auto element0 = list->GetIndex(0)->Execute();
    auto element1 = (*list)[1]->Execute();
    
    // get values from responses
    auto result0 = std::any_cast<std::string>(element0->GetValue());
    auto result1 = std::any_cast<std::string>(element1->GetValue());
    
    // get size of list
    auto size = std::any_cast<int>(list->GetSize()->Execute()->GetValue());
    
    // write results to console
    std::cout << result0 << std::endl;
    std::cout << result1 << std::endl;
    std::cout << size << std::endl;
}namespace TestClass
{
	public class TestClass
	{
		public TestClass() { }

        // empty
	}
}
// use Activate only once in your app
Javonet::Activate("your-license-key");

// create called runtime context
auto calledRuntime = Javonet::InMemory()->Netcore();

// get string type
auto stringType = calledRuntime->GetType("System.String");

// get generic class with string type as parameter
auto typeList = calledRuntime->GetType("System.Collections.Generic.List`1", stringType)->Execute();

// create instance of generic class
auto list = typeList->CreateInstance()->Execute();

//invoke instance methods
list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "one")->Execute();
list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "two")->Execute();
list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "three")->Execute();
list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "four")->Execute();
list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "five")->Execute();
list->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", "six")->Execute();

// get elements from list
auto element0 = list->GetIndex(0)->Execute();
auto element1 = (*list)[1]->Execute();

// get values from responses
auto result0 = std::any_cast<std::string>(element0->GetValue());
auto result1 = std::any_cast<std::string>(element1->GetValue());

// get size of list
auto size = std::any_cast<int>(list->GetSize()->Execute()->GetValue());

// write results to console
std::cout << result0 << std::endl;
std::cout << result1 << std::endl;
std::cout << size << std::endl;

In the snippet above, list specific to called technology framework is created.
Then, some elements are added to the list. Finally, this list can be handled through Javonet SDK, f.e. with getIndex method.

Working with C++ dictionary from .NET DLL

Javonet SDK contains various methods to interact with dictionaries and consume the results in C++:

#include "Javonet.h"
#include <iostream>
#include <vector>

using namespace JavonetNS::Cpp::Sdk;

std::string resourcesDirectory = ".";

int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {

    // use Activate only once in your app
    Javonet::Activate("your-license-key");
    
    // create called runtime context
    auto calledRuntime = Javonet::InMemory()->Netcore();
    
    // get types for string and double
    auto stringType = calledRuntime->GetType("System.String");
    auto doubleType = calledRuntime->GetType("System.Double");
    
    // get generic class
    auto typeDictionary = calledRuntime->GetType("System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary`2", { stringType, doubleType })->Execute();
    
    // create instance of generic class
    auto dictionary = typeDictionary->CreateInstance()->Execute();
    
    // invoke instance method
    dictionary->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", { "pi", M_PI })->Execute();
    dictionary->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", { "e", M_E })->Execute();
    dictionary->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", { "c", 299792458.0 })->Execute();
    
    // get value from dictionary
    auto response1 = dictionary->GetIndex("e")->Execute();
    auto response2 = (*dictionary)["pi"]->Execute();
    
    // get value from response
    auto result1 = std::any_cast<double>(response1->GetValue());
    auto result2 = std::any_cast<double>(response2->GetValue());
    
    // write result to console
    std::cout << result1 << std::endl;
    std::cout << result2 << std::endl;
}namespace TestClass
{
	public class TestClass
	{
		public TestClass() { }

        // empty
	}
}
// use Activate only once in your app
Javonet::Activate("your-license-key");

// create called runtime context
auto calledRuntime = Javonet::InMemory()->Netcore();

// get types for string and double
auto stringType = calledRuntime->GetType("System.String");
auto doubleType = calledRuntime->GetType("System.Double");

// get generic class
auto typeDictionary = calledRuntime->GetType("System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary`2", { stringType, doubleType })->Execute();

// create instance of generic class
auto dictionary = typeDictionary->CreateInstance()->Execute();

// invoke instance method
dictionary->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", { "pi", M_PI })->Execute();
dictionary->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", { "e", M_E })->Execute();
dictionary->InvokeInstanceMethod("Add", { "c", 299792458.0 })->Execute();

// get value from dictionary
auto response1 = dictionary->GetIndex("e")->Execute();
auto response2 = (*dictionary)["pi"]->Execute();

// get value from response
auto result1 = std::any_cast<double>(response1->GetValue());
auto result2 = std::any_cast<double>(response2->GetValue());

// write result to console
std::cout << result1 << std::endl;
std::cout << result2 << std::endl;

The same operation can be performed remotely by just changing the new Runtime Context invocation from in memory to tcp that will create and interact with your .NET DLL objects on any remote node, container or service that hosts Javonet Code Gateway. This way you can preserve the same logic in your application and instantly switch between monolithic and microservices architecture without the need to implement the integration layer based on web services or other remote invocation methods.

Read more about use cases and software architecture scenarios where Javonet runtime bridging technology can support your development process.

Working with C++ collections from .NET DLL

Working with C++ lists from .NET DLL

Working with C++ dictionary from .NET DLL

Additional references