What is the (fnptr)* type and how to create it?

Question

The following IL code creates a Type instance named (fnptr)* (token 0x2000000 - invalid, module mscorlib.dll).

ldtoken method void* ()*
call cla         


        

Answer 1

I have no real idea what you are asking and why you think there is anything wrong. (fnptr)* is the type name of a pointer to an unmanaged function pointer. That it gets special treatment in the CLR is indeed odd, I suspect it is an archeological artifact. Dating back to a time before .NET and before delegates were invented. The CLR started life as the "universal runtime" in Project 42, a failed project before .NET.

Maybe some C++/CLI code to demonstrate how to generate one is useful, shows you how to create it:

#include "stdafx.h"

using namespace System;

typedef void (*functionPointer)(int);

ref class Example {
public:
    functionPointer* fp;
};

int main(array ^args)
{
    auto field = Example::typeid->GetField("fp");
    auto name = field->FieldType->FullName; 
    Console::WriteLine(name);
    return 0;
}

Output: (fnptr)*