Suppose that I write a J# class library. When that gets compiled it produces
a .DLL file. Is that .DLL file a standard, regular type of .DLL? In
particular, can I reference that .DLL file from a C++ program? And most
importantly, when that C++ program runs on a computer, and invokes methods
within that J# .DLL, does that computer also have to have the .NET and the J#
redistributables installed, or will that C++ program be able to run just fine
without those redistributables?

My hope is that I can write the majority of my application as a J# class
library, and then just have a small C++ program that invokes the main
functionality within the J# class library's .DLL file, thereby avoiding the
need to have my potential customers also install the .NET and J#
redistributables.

"Roger Garrett" <RogerGarrett (AT) discussions (DOT) microsoft.com> wrote

Well, not really. It is an assembly. The classes in that assembly can be
"consumed" by other .Net components, but in general an assembly is not going
to "export" free functions in the traditional Win32 API sense of the term.

You can use one of the interop methods. Dot Net classes can be wrapped up as
COM objects and the C++ program can consume them as any other COM object.

yes

yes

no

There are third party tools, with which I have no experience, such as these:

http://thinstall.com/help/?_netsupport.htm

http://www.remotesoft.com/linker/

which purport to do this. You may want to do some research.

Regards,
Will