Coordinating C/C++ ØMQ and .NET ØMQ
This page gives source code examples of C/C++ ØMQ and .NET ØMQ that can run in conjunction.
Coordinating C/C++ ØMQ with .NET ØMQ works well—but only if you’re careful about wire compatibility, socket patterns, and message framing.
You may either choose to download C++ binaries or C# binaries to run a simple server client application using zero mq.
If you want to create your own binaries, first start with downloading zeromq source files from ZeroMq Download Page and build the project in builds\msvc for Windows to produce required library and dll files.
Then, create a new project, add required files to your project and start to use zeromq in your applications.
Download C/C++ and C# versions of ØMQ sender and receiver applications.
Critical points (Coordinating ZeroMq between C++ and C#)
1. The biggest rule: stick to common patterns
Use patterns that are known to interoperate cleanly:
• REQ / REP (simplest)
• DEALER / ROUTER (advanced, async)
• PUB / SUB (works, but requires careful timing)
• NetMQ-specific features (avoid)
Start with REQ/REP to verify everything works.
2. Message format must match
ZeroMQ sends raw frames (byte arrays). That means:
• No automatic serialization
• No shared object format
• You must agree on encoding
Safe default:
Use UTF-8 strings
C++
std::string msg = "Hello";
zmq::message_t request(msg.begin(), msg.end());
socket.send(request, zmq::send_flags::none);
C#
client.SendFrame("Hello");
3. Transport must match exactly
Both sides must use identical endpoints:
tcp://localhost:5555
C++:
socket.bind("tcp://*:5555");
C#:
new RequestSocket(">tcp://localhost:5555");
• Same protocol (tcp)
• Same port
• Same host resolution
You may use the example source codes shared for C++ and C# versions.
