Interop Tools (.NET Framework)

The tools provided in this section simplify and reduce the amount of code required to perform interop tasks such as enabling COM clients to use .NET Framework classes that are dependent on the common language runtime.

Among other things, these tools convert and generate type libraries and produce and register classes and assemblies. They enable developers to use existing design and programming methodologies, whether types are dependent on the common language runtime or on COM.

These tools are automatically installed with Visual Studio and with the Windows SDK. The best way to run these tools is by using the Visual Studio or Windows SDK Command Prompt.

In This Section

• Aximp.exe (Windows Forms ActiveX Control Importer)
  Converts type definitions in a COM type library for an ActiveX control into a Windows Forms control.

• Mgmtclassgen.exe (Management Strongly Typed Class Generator)
  Enables you to generate an early-bound managed class for a specified Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) class.

• Regasm.exe (Assembly Registration Tool)
  Reads the metadata within an assembly and adds the necessary entries to the registry. This enables COM clients to appear as .NET Framework classes.

• Regsvcs.exe (.NET Services Installation Tool)
  Loads and registers an assembly, generates and installs a type library into a specified COM+ version 1.0 application, and configures services that you have added programmatically to a class.

• Tlbexp.exe (Type Library Exporter)
  Generates a type library that describes the types that are defined in a common language runtime assembly.

• Tlbimp.exe (Type Library Importer)
  Converts the type definitions found in a COM type library into equivalent definitions in a common language runtime assembly.

Related Sections

• Alphabetical Listing of Tools (.NET Framework)
  Provides a single alphabetical listing of all the tools in the .NET Framework Tools section of the documentation.

• Build, Deployment, and Configuration Tools (.NET Framework)
  Includes tools that help with build and deployment tasks such as generating portable executable (PE) and Microsoft intermediate language (MSIL) files, viewing and manipulating the global assembly cache, managing application and deployment manifests, and handling isolated stores and resource files.

• Debugging Tools (.NET Framework)
  Includes graphical and command-line tools that provide information about the internal common language runtime environment, help you find and fix bugs in applications that target the common language runtime, and let you view assembly binds.

• Security Tools (.NET Framework)
  Includes command-line tools that help you perform security-related tasks and test your components and applications before you deploy them.

• Miscellaneous Development Tools (.NET Framework)
  Includes the following additional tools: SqlMetal Code Generation Tool and Windows Forms Class Viewer.