Windows Runtime Interop
Windows Runtime Interop (WinRT Interop) is a set of technologies and APIs that enable interoperability between different programming languages and the Windows Runtime (WinRT) platform. It allows developers to call WinRT components from languages like C++, C#, and JavaScript, and vice versa, facilitating cross-language development on Windows. This includes mechanisms like COM interop, language projections, and marshaling to bridge managed and unmanaged code.
Developers should learn Windows Runtime Interop when building Windows applications that require integration between components written in different languages, such as combining C++ for performance-critical parts with C# for UI in Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. It is essential for scenarios like accessing WinRT APIs from legacy code, creating mixed-language libraries, or developing cross-platform tools that target Windows, as it ensures seamless communication and data exchange across language boundaries.