It's an "empty structure" because it is a stub emitted by the managed C++ compiler. In other words, the Managed DirectX libraries are written in managed C++. This compiler has to emit *something* in the MSIL metadata that describes the types that the MDX libraries manipulate. _D3DMATRIX is clearly the C++ structure, which the managed C++ compiler is emitting for the sake of the managed code. The only thing the JIT compiler needs is the layout and size -- which the managed C++ compiler has kindly provided.
-- arlie -----Original Message----- From: Unmoderated discussion of advanced .NET topics. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Frans Bouma Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 4:57 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ADVANCED-DOTNET] Large structures > Frans Bouma wrote: > > > > Because the DX api is a COM api, > > > > > > We're talking about the *Managed* DirectX API. So your entire > > > message doesn't make any sense. > > > > Erm, that api is a wrapper around DX COM. > > I know, but that's irrelevant. Why is it irrelevant, if I may ask? Isn't it best for managed applications to be able to create the fastest app possible, which means that there should be as less overhead as possible in hte managed wrapper, imho you can achieve that best by allowing passable constructs, like objects, but not structs. > > For the main logic it calls into the COM objects. > > Yes and if you look at the COM APIs you'll see that they take a > *pointer* to a D3DMATRIX. So the Managed DirectX wrapper designers > (presumable) consciously chose to make their API different. > The question was, why? Well, perhaps the answer lies somewhere in the reason why D3DMATRIX is defined as: [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential, Size=64, Pack=1), CLSCompliant(false), DebugInfoInPDB, MiscellaneousBits(65)] public struct _D3DMATRIX { } i.e. an empty struct. (Which I find strange) Perhaps it's reflector, dunno ;), but it might also be MC++ (I assume they've written this managed api in MC++, it would be the easiest) which creates these kind of constructs. FB =================================== This list is hosted by DevelopMentor. http://www.develop.com Some .NET courses you may be interested in: NEW! Guerrilla ASP.NET, 17 May 2004, in Los Angeles http://www.develop.com/courses/gaspdotnetls View archives and manage your subscription(s) at http://discuss.develop.com =================================== This list is hosted by DevelopMentorŪ http://www.develop.com Some .NET courses you may be interested in: NEW! Guerrilla ASP.NET, 17 May 2004, in Los Angeles http://www.develop.com/courses/gaspdotnetls View archives and manage your subscription(s) at http://discuss.develop.com
