Type Lib Conversion problem

Question

I tried using the tlbimp.exe utility of .NET sdk to import a type library(a C API) to a compatible assembly code. I was succesful at doing that and was able to Add a Reference to the namespace i assigned. However when I tried to get the function of the imported assembly code its not there!!The enumtypes, deftypes, constants were present except for all the functions innate to the library. Has anyone encountered the same scenario? Should i program it now in unmanaged code using .NET's interop services if im unsuccessful of doing the latter one?

normanordas · Answer

This is content my my type-library when i open it thru OLE Viewer:
// typelib filename: neteng.tlb
[
uuid(281078B0-B4B9-11D2-92C7-0000F878079B),
version(1.2),
helpstring("Library Neteng"),
helpfile("NetEngine.HLP"),
helpcontext(00000000)
]
library NETENG
{
// TLib : // Forward declare all types defined in this typelib
typedef enum {
NE_READWRITE = 0,
NE_READONLY = 1
} AccessModeEnum;
typedef enum {
NE_SIMPLE = 0,
NE_FASTINDEX = 1
} IndexTypeEnum;
[
dllname("neteng.dll")
]
module NETENGAPI {
[entry(0x60000000), helpstring("Initialize the network engine."), helpcontext(0x0000756f)]
void _stdcall NE_InitNetworkEngine();
[entry(0x60000001), helpstring("Exit from the network engine."), helpcontext(0x00007570)]
void _stdcall NE_ExitNetworkEngine();
[entry(0x60000002), helpstring("Takes in the public attribute record for the Network and creates a Network. This results in a directory whose name is part of the Network attribute record. The Network remains until deleted. A NULL pointer is returned if the Network could not be created."), helpcontext(0x00007573)]
-------------------------------------------------------------
as you can see my neteng.tlb file has a module NETENGAPI but what i don't understand is the inclusion of [dllname("neteng.dll")]. Does it mean that the functionality of the NETENGAPI module resides in another file and that is neteng.dll? Indeed there's another fle associated with it but i can't open it by OLE Viewer it says its not a valid type lib. How i can i use NETENGAPI then in my VB.Net app?Adding reference to neteng.tlb only shows the enumeration members but the module methods can't be called nor recognized(NETENG.NETENGAPI.NE_InitNetworkEngine() is not a member the editor says).
Tnx a lot!

Mahesh Chand · Answer

I believe you can only import COM type libraries to .NET assemblies. Not prior libraries.