ManualC (Inline C#)

ManualC C#

Write C# code directly inside your XML. Compile it at runtime and execute it seamlessly.

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1. Introduction

Sometimes declarative XML isn't enough. You might need complex math, system API access, or advanced logic. ManualC allows you to embed standard C# methods right into your application.

speed

Runtime Compile

Code is compiled in memory when the app starts. No Visual Studio needed.

api

Full .NET Access

Use `System.IO`, `System.Net`, `System.Math` and more.

integration_instructions

Easy Integration

Call C# methods from XML handlers and get return values back.

2. Syntax

Use the <ManualC> tag inside <Logic>. Always wrap your code in <![CDATA[ ... ]]> to avoid XML parsing errors.

App.xml 
<Logic>
    <ManualC Id="MyMath">
        <![CDATA[
        using System;

        public static class MyMath 
        {
            public static double CalculateArea(double radius) 
            {
                return Math.PI * radius * radius;
            }
            
            public static string ReverseString(string input)
            {
                char[] charArray = input.ToCharArray();
                Array.Reverse(charArray);
                return new string(charArray);
            }
        }
        ]]>
    </ManualC>
</Logic>
info
Requirement: Your C# methods must be public static. The class name inside CDATA doesn't matter, but using `Id` is best practice.

3. Calling C# from XML

Use the <CallManualC> command to execute your methods. You can pass parameters and store the result in a variable.

<Handler Name="OnCalculate">
    <!-- Calculate Area -->
    <CallManualC 
        Id="MyMath" 
        Method="CalculateArea" 
        Params="5.5" 
        ToState="areaResult"/>
        
    <Set Target="lblResult" Property="Text" Value="Area: {areaResult}"/>
    
    <!-- Reverse String -->
    <CallManualC 
        Id="MyMath" 
        Method="ReverseString" 
        Params="{userInput}" 
        ToState="reversed"/>
</Handler>
AttributeDescription
IdThe ID of the ManualC block to call.
MethodThe exact name of the C# static method.
ParamsComma-separated arguments (e.g., "10,hello,true").
ToState(Optional) Variable name to store the return value.

4. Importing External Files

Instead of writing C# inside XML, you can import external `.cs` files. This keeps your XML clean.

<Logic>
    <!-- Import Helper.cs -->
    <ImportManualC Source="scripts/Helper.cs" Id="Helper"/>
    
    <Handler Name="UseHelper">
        <CallManualC Id="Helper" Method="DoWork"/>
    </Handler>
</Logic>

scripts/Helper.cs:

using System;
using System.Windows;

public static class Helper 
{
    public static void DoWork() 
    {
        MessageBox.Show("Working from external file!");
    }
}

5. Real-World Examples

Example 1: Dynamic Image Generation

Generate a Bitmap in memory and display it in an Image control.

<ManualC Id="ImgGen">
    <![CDATA[
    using System.Windows.Media;
    using System.Windows.Media.Imaging;
    
    public static ImageSource GenerateGradient()
    {
        RenderTargetBitmap bmp = new RenderTargetBitmap(200, 200, 96, 96, PixelFormats.Pbgra32);
        // ... (Drawing logic)
        return bmp;
    }
    ]]>
</ManualC>

<Handler Name="ShowImage">
    <CallManualC Id="ImgGen" Method="GenerateGradient" ToControl="myImage"/>
</Handler>

Example 2: System Info

Get detailed OS information that isn't available via standard XML commands.

<ManualC Id="SysInfo">
    <![CDATA[
    using System;
    public static string GetOS() 
    {
        return Environment.OSVersion.ToString() + " " + (Environment.Is64BitOperatingSystem ? "64-bit" : "32-bit");
    }
    ]]>
</ManualC>

<Handler Name="LoadInfo">
    <CallManualC Id="SysInfo" Method="GetOS" ToState="osName"/>
    <Set Target="lblOS" Property="Text" Value="{osName}"/>
</Handler>