Question

C++/CX seems to make interfacing native C++ with C# FAR easier and more direct than the current method using a C++/CLI ‘layer’ in-between (with all the complications that entails).
But can I use C++/CX OUTSIDE WinRT in a old-school WPF Desktop-style Application?
Clarification: My WPF App ‘wraps’ an older Windows32 Application code. So I’m interopting with native c++, but it’s awkward having native c++, Managed C++ and c# all in the same application..

Answer 1

No you cannot use C++/CX outside WinRT – it relies on the windows runtime metadata and there is no metadata for non winrt APIs.