GCHandle to get address(pointer) of .net object

Question

I managed to get the address of a .net object by

GCHandle objHandle = GCHandle.Alloc(obj,GCHandleType.WeakTrackResurrection);
int address = GCHandle.ToIntPtr         


        

Answer 1

As Tim and thecoop has pointed out, GCHandle.Alloc may prevent garbage collection but actual object address can change as GC may move object around unless you pin the object. Further, your code is using GCHandleType.WeakTrackResurrection and that would not event prevent the garbage collection. GCHandle.ToIntPtr will give address of handle that can be round-tripped over unmanaged call. Actual object address will be given by AddrOfPinnedObject method.

Said all that, IMO, your code may serve the purpose of associating .NET object with unmanaged object. This is because GCHandle.To/FromIntPtr will get back you correct GCHandle and you can reach your .NET object via it (provided its not garbage collected). IMO, it should be immaterial if actual object address had changed or not.