How to convert a structure to a byte array in C#?

Question

How do I convert a structure to a byte array in C#?

I have defined a structure like this:

public struct CIFSPacket
{
    public uint protocolIdentifi         


        

Answer 1

This can be done very straightforwardly.

Define your struct explicitly with [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Explicit)]

int size = list.GetLength(0);
IntPtr addr = Marshal.AllocHGlobal(size * sizeof(DataStruct));
DataStruct *ptrBuffer = (DataStruct*)addr;
foreach (DataStruct ds in list)
{
    *ptrBuffer = ds;
    ptrBuffer += 1;
}

This code can only be written in an unsafe context. You have to free addr when you're done with it.

Marshal.FreeHGlobal(addr);