C++/CLI in Action

The year before this book came out in 2007 I had a project to do using C++ .NET as a filler stage. I had to couple a C# based production line glass cutter to a FARO laser inferemeter. The project required a stacked interface going down from C# to C++ managed to C++ unmanaged. I could have saved a lot of time and grief if I had this book to work with then. There were no good references to work with and the internet was only a jumble of examples. Today, FARO has the interface written in a C# DLL and there is no need for that particular interface stack, but there are other problems that still require inter-language communication. Life is often like that. Upon reflection, you can see the path that you should have taken. Hopefully, it will be a lesson to benefit the future. So, if you are starting to work in C++/CLI, then get this book and become an expert in a week. It will be a very smart move on your part.

I use the word near because for me personally, illustrations are the best way to learn anything. The author laments that his examples are very humble and that's OK for many - even most. As long as the idea is described, then the author has done his part to get the idea across. I feel that there should be more to expand concepts with the sample code that is included. The contrast to that is concepts can be made confusing by large examples that would risk clouding the idea that was being taught. It is a fine balance to be sure and the author appears to be aware of that. As mentioned, I would have liked to see more in the way of examples. Especially those that cover mixed mode programming. There are other chapters that do a great job covering interop with MFC, WCF, WPF tough I did NOT purchase it for those concepts. Readers of this review wanting a text for that are wise to consider this book. The book seems to be thorough in getting all the features of this language exposed to the reader by comparing it to the older managed C++ which many will agree is abysmal - Good job MS!. Overall I highly recommend this book for the way the concepts are taught in spite of the examples. Anyone who visits forums of sorts will see the author's posts there, being very helpful. The acknowledgments page list names of the reviewers, some I know to be heavy hitters in software development. All of whom helped to make this a must read for learning this "variant" of C++.

There aren't many C++/CLI books out there, and although this is the only one I've read, I have to say it's excellent. The first two parts of the book are essential reading and really represent all anyone should need to know about C++/CLI, in my opinion. The discussion on generics and managed templates was great.

The book is well written, and brings the reader along slowly enough to grasp all the important concepts along the way. The book will take an experienced C++ programmer easily through every concept he/she needs to know in order to use the language in the .NET environment. Chapter 1 introduces simple CLI concepts such as the /clr compiler option, CLR types, handles, gcnew, and boxing. Chapters 2 and 3 graduate to more advanced concepts including delegates, finalizers, managed templates, and generics. Chapters 4 and 5 explain how to mix native code and managed code, in numerous, practical scenarios. The author presents one very clever technique for wrapping managed classes, which is more elegant than any other techniques you are likely to encounter. Chapter 6 explains how to interop Windows Forms with MFC or vice versa. Chapter 7 shows three techniques for using WPF (Avalon) in C++/CLI (yes, it is possible). By the way, the third technique is no longer supported by Microsoft. And finally, chapter 8 covers WCF. The author writes in a style that is interesting and keeps the reader engaged. He uses analogies effectively to help the reader connect concepts or to see them in a different light. He reassures the reader when a new idea is first mentioned, that it will be fully explained at a later point, if not in the current context. I found Sivakumar to be one of the best technical authors out there. I would highly recommend this book to someone who needs to make the move to .NET programming from plain C++, or for someone who needs to interop managed and unmanaged code.

Nishant did an excellent job with this book. The only complaint is that he could have made it bigger. He separates himself from the rest. The difference is his book covers: 1. MFC/Managed C++ integration. Excellent chapter. He shows how to add any Managed class to either an MFC Dialog or MFC View. My favorite chapters are five and six. 2. Templates/Generic mixing. Even covers managed template inheritance. 3. Advanced event covering with C++. I have worked with C++/C# for years, and I didn't know this about events. Very good. 4. Avalon integration. This is somewhat lacking, but it is still very good coverage. I would recommend this book to anybody.