Using Windows API functions in C#

Question

So, I want to use the CreateProcess API function in C#. I know that I have to import the kernel32.dll file and overwrite the function header and mark it as extern. I also know that I have to implement the structures that the function uses. The problem that I have is the following: Where can I see the exact structure of the structure I need to implement?

[DllImport("Kernel32.dll")]
public static extern HANDLE CreateThread(PSECURITY_ATTRIBUTES psa,
                                             DWORD cbStack,
                                             PTHREAD_START_ROUTINE pfnStartAddr,
                                             PVOID pvParam,
                                             DWORD fwdCreate,
                                             PDWORD pdwThreadID);

I need to implemenent the following structures in order for this to work: HANDLE, DWORD... and the rest how do I do this?

I know how to use the function in C++, but I want to learn how to use them in C# also, I need a place where I can see The HANDLE structure so I can write the HANDKE structure in C#, I hope you understand what I mean. — luca.p.alexandru
– luca.p.alexandru, Commented Apr 9, 2013 at 19:03
Other people have answered, so I'm just going to slip this in here [msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/…. Though my question is why are you going for this and not trying for C# multithreading? — IdeaHat
– IdeaHat, Commented Apr 9, 2013 at 19:21

Justin Niessner · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-09 19:29:34Z

5

You don't need to re-implement those types. You just need to translate them to their appropriate .NET equivalent:

Platform Invoke Data Types

You may also be interested in knowing that .NET has its own way of creating both Threads and Processes:

Process Class (System.Diagnostics)

Thread Class (System.Threading)

edited Apr 9, 2013 at 19:29

answered Apr 9, 2013 at 19:06

Justin Niessner

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4 Comments

luca.p.alexandru Over a year ago

Thank you! I'm new to Api functions. This is the best answer to my question

David Heffernan Over a year ago

FWIW, you need to do more than just map the types. If that's all there was to p/invoke, this would not exist: stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/pinvoke

Justin Niessner Over a year ago

@DavidHeffernan - There's more to P/Invoke, yes. But the OP specifically asked about re-implementing the data types. In that case, finding the appropriate .NET type to use is appropriate.

David Heffernan Over a year ago

Well, right off the bat, your link (which is certainly useful) does not have PSECURITY_ATTRIBUTES, PTHREAD_START_ROUTINE, PDWORD, STARTUPINFO or PROCESS_INFORMATION. These are two of the more complex Win32 APIs to use and just knowing that DWORD maps to uint and HANDLE to UIntPtr is really just scratching at the surface. My comments here are aimed at @juice in any case. You certainly answered the question that was asked.

David Heffernan · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-09 19:07:13Z

3

You can use pinvoke.net as a source of Win32 API translations. For example, here are the two you are interested in:

Do be warned that the translations there are of variable quality. For example, there are two versions of CreateThread at the link above. Only one of them is accurate. It's obvious which one it is!

More generally you should have a good read of the MSDN p/invoke tutorial, and Marshaling Data with Platform Invoke.

edited Apr 9, 2013 at 19:07

answered Apr 9, 2013 at 19:01

David Heffernan

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3 Comments

CodesInChaos Over a year ago

Kernel32 version of CreateProcess

luca.p.alexandru Over a year ago

Thanks for the answer, that is really interesting!

David Heffernan Over a year ago

@CodesInChaos Thanks, I was sloppy, I fixed the link

David Heffernan · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-09 19:14:04Z

1

I've found the MSDN topic Windows Data Types to be helpful in identifying the various type aliases used in windows DLLs.

edited Apr 9, 2013 at 19:14

David Heffernan

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answered Apr 9, 2013 at 19:08

JainSaw

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1 Comment

luca.p.alexandru Over a year ago

Thank you, though the above answer was much more usefull to me.

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