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POWriting COM servers for the windows API in C#, where to begin?
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copied!<p>I am trying to write some plugins to work with the <a href="http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc644955%28v=vs.85%29.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Terminal Services Session Broker Plugin Interface</a>. I am very fluent in C# but I have not done any C++ since the late 90's. For the plugin I am writing I plan on communicating with a database and I would prefer to use <code>System.Data.SqlClient</code> to talk to it as I know it's ins and outs fairly well. I have the <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=8279" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Windows SDK</a> which has provided my with the .idl file for the interface (<code>tssbx.idl</code>). The SDK also provides a C header file (<code>tssbx.h</code>) and a C source file (<code>tssbx_i.c</code>).</p> <p>I have never written a COM server before, and I have been having a lot of trouble finding resources on learning how to read a IDL file and turn it in to C#. Everything I find says "<a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1307675/convert-interface-idl-file-to-c-sharp">Use TlbImport</a>" but that requires things like the block <code>library</code> to be in the IDL which <code>tssbx.idl</code> does not (nor its dependents) implement.</p> <p>What would be my best option:</p> <ol> <li>Find a tool for C# that is the equivalent to <a href="http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa367300%28v=vs.85%29.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MIDL</a> for parsing a .idl file in to a .cs file.</li> <li>Learn IDL (I have been having trouble finding good guides to learn it) and write the whole thing in C# by hand.</li> <li>Write a helper dll using the C files provided and have that call in to my C# dll for my .NET parts.</li> <li>Re-learn C++, use the provided .h and .c files, and use the CLR to make my .NET calls.</li> <li>Some other option I have not thought of.</li> </ol>

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