Debug c++ dll in C#

Question

I have a .dll from c++ and I want to debug it in C#, but I don't know how to.

When I compiled the c++ project, Visual studio asked me to execute an ".exe".

I supposed that I had to create a project to execute the dll.

But I am lost, how could I debug it?

score 46 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 30 '09 at 11:16

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If I understand you correctly, you want to debug a C++ coded DLL that you created, in a C# project that calls the DLL, which you also created?

I've done this before by going into your C# project properties, and under the Debug section, checking the "Enable unmanaged code debugging" check box. This should allow you to step into your C++ DLL.

answered Jun 30 '09 at 11:16

CCicotta

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Also, in Visual Studio 2012 I found the option to be called 'Enable native code debugging' – Darius Aug 10 '14 at 15:45
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...yes, that's what my VS 2017 Pro has -- no "Enable unman code deb." – Doug Null May 29 '18 at 15:56
Similarly, if you have a C# DLL to debug in native c++ project, choose 'Debugger type = mixed' in Debugging section of native c++ project. This will allow to step into cli/clr and c# code. – Fil May 06 '20 at 20:07
Does anybody know how to configure this for a .NET Core app in VSCode? – Chris Jul 23 '20 at 13:07

score 22 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 30 '09 at 12:32

To debug a C++ from C# there a couple of things you have to do.

Add a C# project to you solution for your debug application.
Edit the properties of the C# project to "Allow unmanaged code debugging" on the "Debug" tab of the project properties.
Set the C++ project as a dependency of the C# project.
Write code in your C# project to use the DLL either using P/Invoke or COM.
Set some breakpoints in your C++ code and run the C# project.

Noobie3001 · Answer 3 · 2020-07-08T13:19:47.817

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I overcame this in Visual Studio 2019 by selecting "Enable native code debugging" as shown under my C# project's properies.

edited Jul 08 '20 at 13:19

answered Jul 07 '20 at 10:45

Noobie3001

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JohnIdol · Answer 4 · 2009-06-30T12:23:28.470

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Visual Studio cannot execute a dll on its own.

You need to set the startup .exe that will be using your C++ dll in the properties of your dll project. You can do so from properties --> debugging --> command specifying the path of the executable that's gonna call your dll and any command line argument needed.

edited Jun 30 '09 at 12:23

answered Jun 30 '09 at 10:26

JohnIdol

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score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 06 '18 at 23:32

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For VS 2017 Pro, go to the property page of the main project (your c# project in the solution) by right mouse clicking it. At the Debug menu item, find the option in Debugger engines, choose Enable native code debugging.

answered Jul 06 '18 at 23:32

user10044681

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score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Mar 03 '21 at 14:34

To complement the useful answers by heavyd and CCicotta and Noobie3001, in Visual Studio 2017 I also had to change the following when attaching to a running C# process calling a C++ DLL: in Debug > Attach to process ..., ensure Native code is listed by Attach to:

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Feb 07 '17 at 08:11

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SOS (Son of Strike) Debugging Extension (SOS.dll) helps you debug managed code in Visual Studio by providing information about the internal CLR environment

refer the below article:-

MSDN ARTICLE

answered Feb 07 '17 at 08:11

V J

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score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Aug 10 '21 at 03:00

The option "Allow unmanaged code debugging" in the "Debug" tab works for most people, but it doesn't work for me. I have to manually select "Native" as the following to debug c++ dll in my c# code. FYI: I'm using vs2019, and the dll is written with c++ and loaded into C# app with "dllimport".

Debug c++ dll in C#

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