HexaGen

HexaGen is a comprehensive code generation toolkit for C# and C++ projects. It uses HexaGen.CppAst to parse C/C++ headers and automatically generates C# bindings and wrappers. HexaGen simplifies the process of integrating native libraries with C# applications by automating the creation of interop code.

✨ Features

• C# Bindings for C Libraries: Automatically generate C# bindings from C headers with support for functions, structs, enums, and callbacks
• C# Bindings for COM Libraries: Create C# bindings for COM interfaces and objects
• C++ to C Wrappers: Generate C wrappers around C++ libraries to facilitate C interop
• Flexible Configuration: JSON-based configuration system with inheritance and composition support
• Advanced Function Generation: Multiple parameter handling strategies including spans, refs, delegates, and default values
• Type Mapping: Configurable type mappings and conversions
• Extension Methods: Generate extension methods for improved API ergonomics
• Constants to Enums: Convert C preprocessor constants to strongly-typed C# enums

📁 Project Structure

• HexaGen - Main code generation tool and CLI
• HexaGen.Core - Core functionality and utilities for code generation
• HexaGen.Cpp2C - C++ to C wrapper generator
• HexaGen.Runtime - Runtime support library for generated code (multi-target: .NET 9/8/7/6, .NET Standard 2.0/2.1, .NET Framework 4.7.2, Android)
• HexaGen.Runtime.COM - Runtime support for COM interop (multi-target: .NET 9/8/7/6, .NET Standard 2.0/2.1, .NET Framework 4.7.2)
• HexaGen.Language - Language parsing and processing utilities
• HexaGen.Tests - Unit tests
• HexaGen.PerformanceTests - Performance benchmarks

🔧 Requirements

• .NET SDK 9.0 (or compatible version)
• Clang 17.0.4 or later (for parsing C/C++ headers)
• Visual Studio 2022 or later (recommended for development)

📦 Installation

NuGet Package

Install HexaGen via NuGet Package Manager:

dotnet add package HexaGen

Build from Source

1. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/HexaEngine/HexaGen.git
   cd HexaGen

2. Build the Project:

   dotnet build

🚀 Usage

Basic Example

Create a configuration file (e.g., config.json):

{
  "ApiName": "MyLibrary",
  "Namespace": "MyLibrary.Generated",
  "ImportType": "DllImport",
  "GenerateExtensions": true
}

Generate C# bindings programmatically:

using HexaGen;

var config = CsCodeGeneratorConfig.Load("config.json");
var generator = new CsCodeGenerator(config);
generator.Generate("mylibrary.h", "Output");

⚙️ Configuration

HexaGen uses a JSON-based configuration system that supports:

• BaseConfig: Configuration inheritance from other files
• Type Mappings: Custom type conversions
• Function Rules: Advanced parameter transformation rules
• Constants to Enum: Convert preprocessor defines to enums
• Import Types: DllImport, LibraryImport, or delegates

Example configuration with inheritance:

{
  "BaseConfig": {
    "Url": "file://config.base.json",
    "IgnoredProperties": ["IgnoredTypes"]
  },
  "ApiName": "MyAPI",
  "Namespace": "MyAPI.Generated",
  "ImportType": "LibraryImport"
}

C++ to C Generation

For generating C wrappers around C++ libraries:

using HexaGen.Cpp2C;

var config = Cpp2CGeneratorConfig.Load("cpp2c-config.json");
var generator = new Cpp2CGenerator(config);
generator.Generate("mylibrary.hpp", "Output");

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes following the project's coding standards
4. Add appropriate tests
5. Submit a pull request

📜 License

HexaGen is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE.txt file for details.

🔗 Links

• GitHub Repository
• NuGet Package
• HexaGen.CppAst - The underlying C++ parser (custom fork)