>Dim formations As String()
>Dim r As Long
>Dim ids As IntPtr
>Dim numata as Long
>Dim ip As IntPtr
>
>r = GetAllFormationNames(1, 2, numdata, ids, ip)
>
>ReDim formations(numdata)
>
>formations(0) = Marshal.PtrToStringAuto(ip)

On 25 Aug 2006 05:30:26 -0700, "TDC" <NOtcarvinSPAM@lycos.com> wrote:

>It certainly does.
>
>Here is what I recommend. Pass a ByRef IntPtr to the Names parameter.
>
>
>This will get you the address of the array. Of course, this array is
>really a continuous block of memory that has consecutive pointers to
>your strings (char arrays).
>
>You can use Marshal.ReadIntPtr(ptr, offset) to walk the array and get
>the IntPtrs to the actual data.
>
>>From those IntPtrs you can use Marshal.PtrToStringAnsi (or one of the
>other Marshal.PtrToStringXXX methods) to get a .NET String.
>
>Don't forget to call whatever method the dll provides to free the
>memory is allocated for this call.
>
>Tom
>
>
>Jeremy wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> 1. I don't know in advance how many names will be returned - the
>> returned parameter numData is the number of names returned..
>>
>> 2.. the dll allocates the memory for the strings.
>>
>> hope that makes it clearer!
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Jeremy
>>
>> On 24 Aug 2006 05:11:56 -0700, "TDC" <NOtcarvinSPAM@lycos.com> wrote:
>>
>> >No problem, but first a few questions:
>> >
>> >Do you know how many names will be returned? Are you supposed to
>> >allocate buffers for the data to be populated does the dll allocate the
>> >memory for the Strings (and you must have to free it later)?
>> >
>> >Tom
>> >
>> >Jeremy wrote:
>> >> Hello,
>> >>
>> >> I have an unmanaged c++ dll which exports the function:
>> >>
>> >> long GetAllFormationNames(long LithSchemeID, long LevelID, int &
>> >> numData, long ** Ids, char *** Names);
>> >>
>> >> it's the final argument that I am having trouble converting/calling
>> >> from VB.NET - everything I have tried has resulted in either an array
>> >> containing rubbish or an array with 1 element containing only the
>> >> first element that *should* be returned
>> >>
>> >> I am rather new to the .Net thing - so be gentle!
>> >>