.NET and COM: The Complete Interoperability Guide

Chapter 2. Bridging the Two Worlds—Managed and Unmanaged Code

In This Chapter

• Managed Code Versus Unmanaged Code

• How Unmanaged Code Interacts with Managed Code

• Unmanaged Code Isn’t Always the Answer

This chapter explains how and why managed code and unmanaged code interact, and introduces the interoperability technologies that are the subject of this book. It also provides an overview of COM, relating it to the .NET Framework and highlighting important differences between the two programming models.

Managed Code Versus Unmanaged Code

Throughout this book (and much documentation), the terms unmanaged code and managed code are used. See the following “Frequently Asked Question” sidebars for an explanation of what is meant by these terms. ...