Managed code used for IE browser helper

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Managed code used for IE browser helper
Does Microsoft still discourage use of managed code for browser extensions? 
Louis Naber




Posts: 6
 Joined: 2018-08-04
It's been a few years since I developed browser extensions and I've been asked to do that again.

In 2013 and 2014 articles were published that discouraged managed code for IE browser extensions. I understand that Add-in Express is implemented with C# managed code which leads to two questions.

1. Does Add-in Express execute out-of-process?
2. Has the Microsoft guidance changed?

Thanks

Reference:
Microsoft Guidance for Implementing In-Process Extensions
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd758089(v=vs.85).aspx

Other discussions for reference:
https://books.google.com/books?id=lXr0AgAAQBAJ&dq=managed+code+internet+explorer+helper&source=gbs_navlinks_s
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20130222-01/?p=5163/
Posted 04 Aug, 2018 07:27:01 Top
Andrei Smolin


Add-in Express team


Posts: 18830
 Joined: 2006-05-11
Hello Louis,

1. Add-in Express creates in-process extensions. There's no way for them to be out-of-process.

2. These pages discuss creating a pure managed extension. Add-in Express uses an unmanaged loader which is a native-code IE extension; when loaded by IE, it starts CLR, creates an AppDomain and loads your assembly in the AppDomain. The loader creates a situation different from the situation discussed.


Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express Team Leader
Posted 06 Aug, 2018 04:16:06 Top
Louis Naber




Posts: 6
 Joined: 2018-08-04
Thanks Andrei - very impressive.
I hate to be so picky but I am developing this for a very strict client. Is there some way to show from the running system that the AppDomain is created and executing the assembly there?

Best Regards
~ Louis
Posted 07 Aug, 2018 08:56:42 Top
Andrei Smolin


Add-in Express team


Posts: 18830
 Joined: 2006-05-11
Hello Louis,

An IE extension may create a button (on the menu, on the toolbar, on an IE bar, on a pane); in the Click event of the control you can get the executing assembly as well as the AppDomain and check them.

Is this what you are looking for?


Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express Team Leader
Posted 07 Aug, 2018 09:09:28 Top