compile dll with calls to methods that dont exit yet

[Peted]

if you are writing a dll that is to be load of hdd from the main
application, and instantiated using latebinding and reflection by the
main aplication, how do you compile the DLL you are writing when it
referers to methods and properties that only exist in the main
aplication ?

i cant use the option to link the debuggin proccess to a running exe,
becasue the hosting program wants the user to manually load the dll
using a dialogue box

any advice please

 

[Marc Gravell]

Well, reflection is *an* option, but interfaces are better;

Create a library which defines the functionality (methods, properties
etc) that your host provides. Reference this assembly from both your
host exe and your plugin dll. Now in the code where you make you host
available to the plugin, replace any class (code) references with the
interface (code) references - ideally making the plugin activation
code *also* work on interfaces.

e.g. (untested)

base assembly:

public interface IHost {
void DoSomethingHosty(int param1, string param2);
}
public interface IPlugin : IDisposable {
void Initialize(IHost host);
}
public abstract class PluginBase : IPlugin {
private readonly IHost _host;
public Host Host {get{return _host;}}
protected PluginBase() {}
protected virtual void Initialize(IHost host) {_host = host;}
public void Dispose() {Dispose(true);}
// and possibly a finalizer with Dispose(false), etc
protected virtual void Dispose(bool disposing) {}
}

plugin assembly:

public class MyPlugin : PluginBase {
void SomeRandomMethodOrEventHandler() {
Host.DoSomethingHosty(5,"abc");
}
void Initialize(IHost host) {
base.Initialize(host);
// other specific init steps
}
// override Dispose(bool) as necessary

// etc
}


host assembly:

public class MyHost : IHost, IDisposable {
public void DoSomethingHosty(int param1, string param2) {
MessageBox.Show(param1.ToString(), param2);
// whatever
}

void LoadPlugins() {
// TODO: load assembly and locate type
IPlugin plugin = (IPlugin) Activator.CreateInstance(pluginType);
plugin.Initialize(this);
myPluginCollection.Add(plugin);
}
public void Dispose() {Dispose(true);}
void Dispose(bool disposing) {
if(disposing) {
foreach(IPlugin plugin in myPluginCollection) {
try {plugin.Dispose();} catch {} // best endeavors
}
myPluginCollection.Clear();
}
}
}

***

As a random off-the-cuff third option; synamic assembly creation.
**way** OTT for this though ;-p

 

[Peted]

thanks for advice, i will giveit a go

thanks