Converting string to a true char * unmanaged array

[clint878]

Hi,

I'm trying to use a library of old C++ functions that use the old-style (char *) strings. Unfortunately, I've spent 7 hours trying to convert a (System::String) to a (char *) with no success. There are plenty of functions out there that will convert from (System::String) to (_wchar_t []) but that type is equally troublesome to convert to (char *).

Anyone have any ideas on how to perform this transformation all the way, not just halfway to the (_wchar_t) type?

Thanks,

-Steve

[dumbquestion]

String *stringstr = S"try this string...";

// To convert the String to char array
char* charstr = (char*)(System::Runtime::InteropServices::Marshal::StringToHGlobalAnsi(stringstr)).ToPointer();

// To cleanup the char array when you're done with it
System::Runtime::InteropServices::Marshal::FreeHGlobal(IntPtr((void*)charstr));


I think this is what you're looking to do. I had this same problem a while ago and found a couple of articles on the web about it. You can search "Marshal string .NET" and that will get you some more info about what I did above.

Good luck!

[cilu]

See this article: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;311259

[functor]

I was trying to do the same thing. This is the function I have and it has worked perfectly for me so far. Basically i had to add an intermediate step and convert the string to a Char (capital C Char) array before converting it to a char array. :/ Anyway here it is:

void stringToCharArray(char resultString[], String *inputString)
{
Char inputChar[]; //Needed to hold String converted into Char temporarily
int i = 0; //Counter for loop

inputChar = inputString->ToCharArray(); //convert input String to Char array

while (i < inputChar->get_Length()) //Step through the Char array and convert to char array
{
*resultString = char(inputChar[i]);
i++;
++resultString;
}

*resultString = char('\0'); //add null character to the end of the string
} // end stringToCharArray Function

[clint878]

Thanks! With your help, I now have two solutions that work perfectly.

Thanks again,

-Steve
Games are for Children
http://www.gamesareforchildren.com/