FIX: Marshalling Structures that Contain SafeArray Fields

If you have unmanaged structures that contain SafeArray type fields, and if you use Tlbimp to use those structures from managed code, you receive an OutOfMemoryException error message.

The Microsoft Type Library Importer currently imports fields of type SafeArray in structures and marks these fields as marshalable. However, the .NET common language runtime marshaler does not support SafeArray fields, and typically generates an OutOfMemoryException error. The hotfix addresses the problem by adding functionality to the common language runtime marshaler to support this scenario.

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next .NET Framework service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

1. Create a type library for the following Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 code:

   Public Type TypeUsedforSafeArray
       data As String
   End Type
   
   Public Type TypeTestingSafeArray
       data As String
       safeArray() As TypeUsedforSafeArray
   End Type
   					

2. Use Tlbimp to import the type library.
3. Use the resulting assembly from managed code.

You receive an OutOfMemoryException error message.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: