Call external dll function in NSIS

Question

I have created dll file using C# Utils.dll which content function replace_string within the class StringUtils. The function is successfully call and give result when call within the console application. Now, I have included the dll file in plugins/ansi folder within NSIS.

I have tried to call the function as :

Utils.StringUtils::replace_string "E:\\test\\test.txt" 'abcd' 'efgh'

I have also tried using CLR

 CLR::Call /NOUNLOAD Utils.dll Utils.StringUtils replace_string 3 "E:\\test\\test.txt" 'abcd' 'efgh'

And again with System call

System::Call 'Utils::StringUtils.replace_string("E:\\test\\test.txt", "abcd", "efgh");'

But i got errors while compiling the nsi file. What could be the correct implementation of function in dll file at NSIS?

C# Code :

    using System;
    using System.Collections.Generic;
    using System.Linq;
    using System.Text;
    using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
    using System.IO;


    namespace Utils
    {
        public class StringUtils
        {

            public StringUtils()
            {
            }   
            /// 
            /// Replace the data in the Huge files searching and replacing chunk        
            /// by chunk. It will create new file as filepath + ".tmp" file with        
            /// replaced data        
            /// 
            /// Path of the file
            /// Text to be replaced
            /// Text with which it is replaced        
            public static void replace_string(string filePath, string replaceText, string withText)
            {
                StreamReader streamReader = new StreamReader(filePath);
                StreamWriter streamWriter = new StreamWriter(filePath + ".tmp");

                while (!streamReader.EndOfStream)
                {
                    string data = streamReader.ReadLine();
                    data = data.Replace(replaceText, withText);

                    data = Regex.Replace(data, replaceText, withText);

                    streamWriter.WriteLine(data);
                }

                streamReader.Close();
                streamWriter.Close();
            }

            public static void print_text()
            {
                Console.WriteLine("test");
                Console.ReadKey();
            }
        }
    }

Console Application Program:

    using System;
    using System.Collections.Generic;
    using System.Linq;
    using System.Text;
    using Utils;

    namespace ConsoleApplication1
    {
        class Program
        {
            static void Main(string[] args)
            {
                StringUtils.replace_string("E:\\test\\test.txt", "abcd", "efgh");

                //Class1.print_text();
            }
        }
    }

Here i have called the replace_string function from the console application and it successfully executed and give the correct result where as when called within NSIS outputs error.

How about the second example using CLR doesn't work for me then... — NavaStha
Just saying it does not work is not helpful, we need to know compiler error messages etc... — Anders
@Anders it is not the error from compiling, its from while executing, Try yourself — NavaStha

Roland Bär Roland Bär · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-09T15:51:01

NSIS itself can only execute C dll's. But maybe this plugin will help you:

http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Call_.NET_DLL_methods_plug-in

Call external dll function in NSIS

2 Answers