Delphi for .NET Developer’s Guide

Chapter 16. Interoperability—COM Interop and the Platform Invocation Service

by Brian Long

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Why Have Interoperability?

• Common Interoperability Issues

• Using COM Objects in .NET Code

• Using .NET Objects in COM Code

• Using Win32 DLL Exports in .NET Code

• Using .NET Routines in Win32 Code

Most of this book focuses on how to build code in Delphi 8 for .NET and how to use .NET code in other assemblies built with any .NET language. However, .NET also offers much support for mixing .NET code alongside regular Win32 code—both COM and plain DLL routines. This chapter explores the interoperability support offered by the .NET platform in all its guises after first gaining an understanding for why it is available at all.