System.Runtime.InteropServices Namespace

Provides a wide variety of members that support COM interop and platform invoke services. If you are unfamiliar with these services, see Interoperating with Unmanaged Code.

Classes

AllowReversePInvokeCallsAttribute

Allows an unmanaged method to call a managed method.

AutomationProxyAttribute

Specifies whether the type should be marshaled using the Automation marshaler or a custom proxy and stub.

BestFitMappingAttribute

Controls whether Unicode characters are converted to the closest matching ANSI characters.

BStrWrapper

Marshals data of type VT_BSTR from managed to unmanaged code. This class cannot be inherited.

ClassInterfaceAttribute

Indicates the type of class interface to be generated for a class exposed to COM, if an interface is generated at all.

CoClassAttribute

Specifies the class identifier of a coclass imported from a type library.

CollectionsMarshal

An unsafe class that provides a set of methods to access the underlying data representations of collections.

ComAliasNameAttribute

Indicates the COM alias for a parameter or field type.

ComAwareEventInfo

Permits late-bound registration of an event handler.

ComCompatibleVersionAttribute

Indicates to a COM client that all classes in the current version of an assembly are compatible with classes in an earlier version of the assembly.

ComConversionLossAttribute

Indicates that information was lost about a class or interface when it was imported from a type library to an assembly.

ComDefaultInterfaceAttribute

Specifies a default interface to expose to COM. This class cannot be inherited.

ComEventInterfaceAttribute

Identifies the source interface and the class that implements the methods of the event interface that is generated when a coclass is imported from a COM type library.

ComEventsHelper

Provides methods that enable .NET delegates that handle events to be added and removed from COM objects.

COMException

The exception that is thrown when an unrecognized HRESULT is returned from a COM method call.

ComImportAttribute

Indicates that the attributed type was previously defined in COM.

ComRegisterFunctionAttribute

Specifies the method to call when you register an assembly for use from COM; this enables the execution of user-written code during the registration process.

ComSourceInterfacesAttribute

Identifies a list of interfaces that are exposed as COM event sources for the attributed class.

ComUnregisterFunctionAttribute

Specifies the method to call when you unregister an assembly for use from COM; this allows for the execution of user-written code during the unregistration process.

ComVisibleAttribute

Controls accessibility of an individual managed type or member, or of all types within an assembly, to COM.

ComWrappers

Class for managing wrappers of COM IUnknown types.

CriticalHandle

Represents a wrapper class for handle resources.

CurrencyWrapper

Wraps objects the marshaler should marshal as a VT_CY.

DefaultCharSetAttribute

Specifies the value of the CharSet enumeration. This class cannot be inherited.

DefaultDllImportSearchPathsAttribute

Specifies the paths that are used to search for DLLs that provide functions for platform invokes.

DefaultParameterValueAttribute

Sets the default value of a parameter when called from a language that supports default parameters. This class cannot be inherited.

DispatchWrapper

Wraps objects the marshaler should marshal as a VT_DISPATCH.

DispIdAttribute

Specifies the COM dispatch identifier (DISPID) of a method, field, or property.

DllImportAttribute

Indicates that the attributed method is exposed by an unmanaged dynamic-link library (DLL) as a static entry point.

DynamicInterfaceCastableImplementationAttribute

Attribute required by any type that is returned by GetInterfaceImplementation(RuntimeTypeHandle).

ErrorWrapper

Wraps objects the marshaler should marshal as a VT_ERROR.

ExtensibleClassFactory

Enables customization of managed objects that extend from unmanaged objects during creation.

ExternalException

The base exception type for all COM interop exceptions and structured exception handling (SEH) exceptions.

FieldOffsetAttribute

Indicates the physical position of fields within the unmanaged representation of a class or structure.

GuidAttribute

Supplies an explicit Guid when an automatic GUID is undesirable.

HandleCollector

Tracks outstanding handles and forces a garbage collection when the specified threshold is reached.

IDispatchImplAttribute

Indicates which IDispatch implementation the common language runtime uses when exposing dual interfaces and dispinterfaces to COM.

ImmutableCollectionsMarshal

An unsafe class that provides a set of methods to access the underlying data representations of immutable collections.

ImportedFromTypeLibAttribute

Indicates that the types defined within an assembly were originally defined in a type library.

InAttribute

Indicates that data should be marshaled from the caller to the callee, but not back to the caller.

InterfaceTypeAttribute

Indicates whether a managed interface is dual, dispatch-only, or IUnknown -only when exposed to COM.

InvalidComObjectException

The exception thrown when an invalid COM object is used.

InvalidOleVariantTypeException

The exception thrown by the marshaler when it encounters an argument of a variant type that can not be marshaled to managed code.

LCIDConversionAttribute

Indicates that a method's unmanaged signature expects a locale identifier (LCID) parameter.

LibraryImportAttribute

Indicates that a source generator should create a function for marshalling arguments instead of relying on the runtime to generate an equivalent marshalling function at run time.

ManagedToNativeComInteropStubAttribute

Provides support for user customization of interop stubs in managed-to-COM interop scenarios.

Marshal

Provides a collection of methods for allocating unmanaged memory, copying unmanaged memory blocks, and converting managed to unmanaged types, as well as other miscellaneous methods used when interacting with unmanaged code.

MarshalAsAttribute

Indicates how to marshal the data between managed and unmanaged code.

MarshalDirectiveException

The exception that is thrown by the marshaler when it encounters a MarshalAsAttribute it does not support.

MemoryMarshal

Provides methods to interoperate with Memory<T>, ReadOnlyMemory<T>, Span<T>, and ReadOnlySpan<T>.

NativeLibrary

Provides APIs for managing native libraries.

NativeMemory

This class contains methods that are mainly used to manage native memory.

OptionalAttribute

Indicates that a parameter is optional.

OutAttribute

Indicates that data should be marshaled from callee back to caller.

PosixSignalContext

Provides data for a PosixSignalRegistration event.

PosixSignalRegistration

Handles a PosixSignal.

PreserveSigAttribute

Indicates that the HRESULT signature transformation that takes place during COM interop calls should be suppressed.

PrimaryInteropAssemblyAttribute

Indicates that the attributed assembly is a primary interop assembly.

ProgIdAttribute

Allows the user to specify the ProgID of a class.

RegistrationServices

Provides a set of services for registering and unregistering managed assemblies for use from COM.

RuntimeEnvironment

Provides a collection of static methods that return information about the common language runtime environment.

RuntimeInformation

Provides information about the .NET runtime installation.

SafeArrayRankMismatchException

The exception thrown when the rank of an incoming SAFEARRAY does not match the rank specified in the managed signature.

SafeArrayTypeMismatchException

The exception thrown when the type of the incoming SAFEARRAY does not match the type specified in the managed signature.

SafeBuffer

Provides a controlled memory buffer that can be used for reading and writing. Attempts to access memory outside the controlled buffer (underruns and overruns) raise exceptions.

SafeHandle

Represents a wrapper class for operating system handles. This class must be inherited.

SEHException

Represents structured exception handling (SEH) errors.

SequenceMarshal

Provides a collection of methods for interoperating with ReadOnlySequence<T>.

SetWin32ContextInIDispatchAttribute

This attribute has been deprecated.

StandardOleMarshalObject

Replaces the standard common language runtime (CLR) free-threaded marshaler with the standard OLE STA marshaler.

StructLayoutAttribute

Lets you control the physical layout of the data fields of a class or structure in memory.

SuppressGCTransitionAttribute

Indicates that a garbage collection transition should be skipped when an unmanaged function call is made.

TypeIdentifierAttribute

Provides support for type equivalence.

TypeLibConverter

Provides a set of services that convert a managed assembly to a COM type library and vice versa.

TypeLibFuncAttribute

Contains the FUNCFLAGS that were originally imported for this method from the COM type library.

TypeLibImportClassAttribute

Specifies which Type exclusively uses an interface. This class cannot be inherited.

TypeLibTypeAttribute

Contains the TYPEFLAGS that were originally imported for this type from the COM type library.

TypeLibVarAttribute

Contains the VARFLAGS that were originally imported for this field from the COM type library.

TypeLibVersionAttribute

Specifies the version number of an exported type library.

UnknownWrapper

Wraps objects the marshaler should marshal as a VT_UNKNOWN.

UnmanagedCallConvAttribute

Specifies the calling convention required to call P/Invoke methods implemented in unmanaged code.

UnmanagedCallersOnlyAttribute

Any method marked with UnmanagedCallersOnlyAttribute can be directly called from native code. The function token can be loaded to a local variable using the address-of operator in C# and passed as a callback to a native method.

UnmanagedFunctionPointerAttribute

Controls the marshaling behavior of a delegate signature passed as an unmanaged function pointer to or from unmanaged code. This class cannot be inherited.

VariantWrapper

Marshals data of type VT_VARIANT | VT_BYREF from managed to unmanaged code. This class cannot be inherited.

WasmImportLinkageAttribute

Structs

ArrayWithOffset

Encapsulates an array and an offset within the specified array.

BIND_OPTS

Use BIND_OPTS instead.

BINDPTR

Use BINDPTR instead.

CLong

CLong is an immutable value type that represents the long type in C and C++. It is meant to be used as an exchange type at the managed/unmanaged boundary to accurately represent in managed code unmanaged APIs that use the long type. This type has 32-bits of storage on all Windows platforms and 32-bit Unix-based platforms. It has 64-bits of storage on 64-bit Unix platforms.

ComWrappers.ComInterfaceDispatch

An application binary interface for function dispatch of a COM interface.

ComWrappers.ComInterfaceEntry

Interface type and pointer to targeted VTable.

CONNECTDATA

Use CONNECTDATA instead.

CULong

CULong is an immutable value type that represents the unsigned long type in C and C++. It is meant to be used as an exchange type at the managed/unmanaged boundary to accurately represent in managed code unmanaged APIs that use the unsigned long type. This type has 32-bits of storage on all Windows platforms and 32-bit Unix-based platforms. It has 64-bits of storage on 64-bit Unix platforms.

DISPPARAMS

Use DISPPARAMS instead.

ELEMDESC

Use ELEMDESC instead.

ELEMDESC.DESCUNION

Use ELEMDESC.DESCUNION instead.

EXCEPINFO

Use EXCEPINFO instead.

FILETIME

Use FILETIME instead.

FUNCDESC

Use FUNCDESC instead.

GCHandle

Provides a way to access a managed object from unmanaged memory.

HandleRef

Wraps a managed object holding a handle to a resource that is passed to unmanaged code using platform invoke.

IDLDESC

Use IDLDESC instead.

NFloat

NFloat is an immutable value type that represents a floating type that has the same size as the native integer size. It is meant to be used as an exchange type at the managed/unmanaged boundary to accurately represent in managed code unmanaged APIs that use a type alias for C or C++'s float on 32-bit platforms or double on 64-bit platforms, such as the CGFloat type in libraries provided by Apple.

OSPlatform

Represents an operating system platform.

PARAMDESC

Use PARAMDESC instead.

STATSTG

Use STATSTG instead.

TYPEATTR

Use TYPEATTR instead.

TYPEDESC

Use TYPEDESC instead.

TYPELIBATTR

Use TYPELIBATTR instead.

VARDESC

Use VARDESC instead.

VARDESC.DESCUNION

Use VARDESC.DESCUNION instead.

Interfaces

_Activator

Exposes the Activator class to unmanaged code.

_Assembly

Exposes the public members of the Assembly class to unmanaged code.

_AssemblyBuilder

Exposes the AssemblyBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_AssemblyName

Exposes the AssemblyName class to unmanaged code.

_Attribute

Exposes the Attribute class to unmanaged code.

_ConstructorBuilder

Exposes the ConstructorBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_ConstructorInfo

Exposes the public members of the ConstructorInfo class to unmanaged code.

_CustomAttributeBuilder

Exposes the CustomAttributeBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_EnumBuilder

Exposes the EnumBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_EventBuilder

Exposes the EventBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_EventInfo

Exposes the public members of the EventInfo class to unmanaged code.

_Exception

Exposes the public members of the Exception class to unmanaged code.

_FieldBuilder

Exposes the FieldBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_FieldInfo

Exposes the public members of the FieldInfo class to unmanaged code.

_ILGenerator

Exposes the ILGenerator class to unmanaged code.

_LocalBuilder

Exposes the LocalBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_MemberInfo

Exposes the public members of the MemberInfo class to unmanaged code.

_MethodBase

Exposes the public members of the MethodBase class to unmanaged code.

_MethodBuilder

Exposes the MethodBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_MethodInfo

Exposes the public members of the MethodInfo class to unmanaged code.

_MethodRental

Exposes the MethodRental class to unmanaged code.

_Module

Exposes the Module class to unmanaged code.

_ModuleBuilder

Exposes the ModuleBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_ParameterBuilder

Exposes the ParameterBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_ParameterInfo

Exposes the ParameterInfo class to unmanaged code.

_PropertyBuilder

Exposes the PropertyBuilder class to unmanaged code.

_PropertyInfo

Exposes the public members of the PropertyInfo class to unmanaged code.

_SignatureHelper

Exposes the SignatureHelper class to unmanaged code.

_Thread

Exposes the Thread class to unmanaged code.

_Type

Exposes the public members of the Type class to the unmanaged code.

_TypeBuilder

Exposes the TypeBuilder class to unmanaged code.

ICustomAdapter

Provides a way for clients to access the actual object, rather than the adapter object handed out by a custom marshaler.

ICustomFactory

Enables users to write activation code for managed objects that extend MarshalByRefObject.

ICustomMarshaler

Provides custom wrappers for handling method calls.

ICustomQueryInterface

Enables developers to provide a custom, managed implementation of the IUnknown::QueryInterface(REFIID riid, void **ppvObject) method.

IDynamicInterfaceCastable

Interface used to participate in a type cast failure.

IRegistrationServices

Provides a set of services for registering and unregistering managed assemblies for use from COM.

ITypeLibConverter

Provides a set of services that convert a managed assembly to a COM type library and vice versa.

ITypeLibExporterNameProvider

Provides control over the casing of names when exported to a type library.

ITypeLibExporterNotifySink

Provides a callback mechanism for the assembly converter to inform the caller of the status of the conversion, and involve the caller in the conversion process itself.

ITypeLibImporterNotifySink

Provides a callback mechanism for the type library converter to inform the caller of the status of the conversion, and involve the caller in the conversion process itself.

UCOMIBindCtx

Use BIND_OPTS instead.

UCOMIConnectionPoint

Use IConnectionPoint instead.

UCOMIConnectionPointContainer

Use IConnectionPointContainer instead.

UCOMIEnumConnectionPoints

Use IEnumConnectionPoints instead.

UCOMIEnumConnections

Use IEnumConnections instead.

UCOMIEnumMoniker

Use IEnumMoniker instead.

UCOMIEnumString

Use IEnumString instead.

UCOMIEnumVARIANT

Use IEnumVARIANT instead.

UCOMIMoniker

Use IMoniker instead.

UCOMIPersistFile

Use IPersistFile instead.

UCOMIRunningObjectTable

Use IRunningObjectTable instead.

UCOMIStream

Use IStream instead.

UCOMITypeComp

Use ITypeComp instead.

UCOMITypeInfo

Use ITypeInfo instead.

UCOMITypeLib

Use ITypeLib instead.

Enums

Architecture

Indicates the processor architecture.

AssemblyRegistrationFlags

Defines a set of flags used when registering assemblies.

CALLCONV

Use CALLCONV instead.

CallingConvention

Specifies the calling convention required to call methods implemented in unmanaged code.

CharSet

Dictates which character set marshaled strings should use.

ClassInterfaceType

Identifies the type of class interface that is generated for a class.

ComInterfaceType

Identifies how to expose an interface to COM.

ComMemberType

Describes the type of a COM member.

CreateComInterfaceFlags

Specifies flags for the GetOrCreateComInterfaceForObject(Object, CreateComInterfaceFlags) method.

CreateObjectFlags

Specifies flags for the GetOrCreateObjectForComInstance(IntPtr, CreateObjectFlags) method.

CustomQueryInterfaceMode

Indicates whether the GetComInterfaceForObject(Object, Type, CustomQueryInterfaceMode) method's IUnknown::QueryInterface calls can use the ICustomQueryInterface interface.

CustomQueryInterfaceResult

Provides return values for the GetInterface(Guid, IntPtr) method.

DESCKIND

Use DESCKIND instead.

DllImportSearchPath

Specifies the paths that are used to search for DLLs that provide functions for platform invokes.

ExporterEventKind

Describes the callbacks that the type library exporter makes when exporting a type library.

FUNCFLAGS

Use FUNCFLAGS instead.

FUNCKIND

Use FUNCKIND instead.

GCHandleType

Represents the types of handles the GCHandle type can allocate.

IDispatchImplType

Indicates which IDispatch implementation to use for a particular class.

IDLFLAG

Use IDLFLAG instead.

IMPLTYPEFLAGS

Use IMPLTYPEFLAGS instead.

ImporterEventKind

Describes the callbacks that the type library importer makes when importing a type library.

INVOKEKIND

Use INVOKEKIND instead.

LayoutKind

Controls the layout of an object when exported to unmanaged code.

LIBFLAGS

Use LIBFLAGS instead.

PARAMFLAG

Use PARAMFLAG instead.

PosixSignal

Specifies a POSIX signal number.

RegistrationClassContext

Specifies the set of execution contexts in which a class object will be made available for requests to construct instances.

RegistrationConnectionType

Defines the types of connections to a class object.

StringMarshalling

Specifies how strings should be marshalled for generated p/invokes

SYSKIND

Use SYSKIND instead.

TYPEFLAGS

Use TYPEFLAGS instead.

TYPEKIND

Use TYPEKIND instead.

TypeLibExporterFlags

Indicates how a type library should be produced.

TypeLibFuncFlags

Describes the original settings of the FUNCFLAGS in the COM type library from where this method was imported.

TypeLibImporterFlags

Indicates how an assembly should be produced.

TypeLibTypeFlags

Describes the original settings of the TYPEFLAGS in the COM type library from which the type was imported.

TypeLibVarFlags

Describes the original settings of the VARFLAGS in the COM type library from which the variable was imported.

UnmanagedType

Identifies how to marshal parameters or fields to unmanaged code.

VarEnum

Indicates how to marshal the array elements when an array is marshaled from managed to unmanaged code as a SafeArray.

VARFLAGS

Use VARFLAGS instead.

Delegates

DllImportResolver

Provides a delegate used to resolve native libraries via callback.

ObjectCreationDelegate

Creates a COM object.

Remarks

Members of this namespace provide several categories of functionality, as shown in the following table. Attributes control marshaling behavior, such as how to arrange structures or how to represent strings. The most important attributes are DllImportAttribute, which you use to define platform invoke methods for accessing unmanaged APIs, and MarshalAsAttribute, which you use to specify how data is marshaled between managed and unmanaged memory.