CreateModuleCatalog() in PrismBootstrapper - Error: Unable to cast transparent proxy to type 'InnerModuleInfoLoader'

[melsawy93]

I am creating a plugin that creates a button in a software I am using. I debugged the code I have and my code crashes (at the bootstrapper.Run()) when running showing the following message

Exception thrown: 'System.InvalidCastException' in Prism.Wpf.dll An exception of type 'System.InvalidCastException' occurred in Prism.Wpf.dll but was not handled in user code Unable to cast transparent proxy to type 'InnerModuleInfoLoader'.

The entry point of my plugin contains:

Bootstrapper bootstrapper = new Bootstrapper();
bootstrapper.Run();

My bootstrapper.cs class:

public class Bootstrapper : PrismBootstrapperBase
   {
       protected override IContainerExtension CreateContainerExtension()
       {
           return new UnityContainerExtension();
       }

       protected override DependencyObject CreateShell()
       {
           return Container.Resolve<MainWindow>();
       }

       protected override void RegisterTypes(IContainerRegistry containerRegistry)
       {
           containerRegistry.Register<MainWindowViewModel>();
       }

       protected override void ConfigureViewModelLocator()
       {
           base.ConfigureViewModelLocator();
       }

       protected override IModuleCatalog CreateModuleCatalog()
       {
           // Use local directory as module catalog
           return new DirectoryModuleCatalog { ModulePath = "Modules" };
       }

   }

My modules have a post-build command to copy the .dll in the bin/debug/Modules folder for my plugin and I have checked the folder myself after building (its there). I really dont know whats wrong.

My module class:

using Combinito.Modules.LCGenerator.Views;
using Prism.Ioc;
using Prism.Modularity;
using Prism.Regions;

namespace Combinito.Modules.LCGenerator
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Register components of module with Unity/Prism
    /// </summary>
    [Module(ModuleName = "ModuleA")]
    public class LCGeneratorModule : IModule
    {
        
        public void Initialize()
        {

        }
        public void OnInitialized(IContainerProvider containerProvider)
        {
 
        }

        public void RegisterTypes(IContainerRegistry containerRegistry)
        {
            
        }
    }
}

This is similar to : https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8158512/error-running-a-wpf-prism-app-from-an-arcgis-desktop-add-in-button-unable-to-lo

However I dont really understand the solution they mention there. Prism.dll is already in the plugin's bin/debug folder..

[melsawy93]

I have been smashing my head at this for a while. I downloaded Fusion++ to take a look at the .dll being loaded. I noticed just when the error happens I get an error loading Prism.wpf.dll. Even though its in the bin/debug folder but for reason the compiler or whatever is looking into the folder of the host software (hosting the plugin). Please see below:

*** Assembly Binder Log Entry  (10/13/2021 @ 10:30:40 PM) ***

The operation failed.
Bind result: hr = 0x80070002. The system cannot find the file specified.

Assembly manager loaded from:  C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\clr.dll
Running under executable  C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS 19\ETABS.exe
--- A detailed error log follows. 

=== Pre-bind state information ===
LOG: DisplayName = Prism.Wpf, Version=8.1.97.5141, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=40ee6c3a2184dc59
 (Fully-specified)
LOG: Appbase = file:///C:/Program Files/Computers and Structures/ETABS 19/
LOG: Initial PrivatePath = NULL
LOG: Dynamic Base = NULL
LOG: Cache Base = NULL
LOG: AppName = ETABS.exe
Calling assembly : (Unknown).
===
LOG: This bind starts in default load context.
LOG: Using application configuration file: C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\ETABS 19\ETABS.exe.Config
LOG: Using host configuration file: 
LOG: Using machine configuration file from C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\config\machine.config.
LOG: GAC Lookup was unsuccessful.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files/Computers and Structures/ETABS 19/Prism.Wpf.DLL.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files/Computers and Structures/ETABS 19/Prism.Wpf/Prism.Wpf.DLL.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files/Computers and Structures/ETABS 19/Prism.Wpf.EXE.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files/Computers and Structures/ETABS 19/Prism.Wpf/Prism.Wpf.EXE.
LOG: All probing URLs attempted and failed.

[brianlagunas]

Hard to say as your debugging environment is dependent on Fusion++. All I can say is that you need to know where Fusion is looking for plugin dependencies , and then make sure ALL your plugin dependencies are there. Even framework dependencies if not being pulled from the GAC.

[melsawy93]

I will reach out, thank you!

I have seen these samples already and tried it. When I try to implement the following:

protected override void ConfigureModuleCatalog(IModuleCatalog moduleCatalog)

        {
            moduleCatalog.AddModule<LCombGeneratorModule>();
        }

I am getting the following error and I am not able to build a solution:

Severity Code Description Project File Line Suppression State
Error CS0121 The call is ambiguous between the following methods or properties: 'Prism.Modularity.IModuleCatalogExtensions.AddModule(Prism.Modularity.IModuleCatalog, Prism.Modularity.InitializationMode)' and 'Prism.Modularity.IModuleCatalogExtensions.AddModule(Prism.Modularity.IModuleCatalog, Prism.Modularity.InitializationMode)' Combinito C:\Users\moustafa.el-sawy\source\repos\Combinito\Combinito\Bootstrapper.cs 44 Active

Thanks again.

[brianlagunas]

Then you might have other issues in your code. You don't have to use the generic. You can just use the method moduleCatalog.AddModule(...)

[melsawy93]

Just made the change and I am getting another error.

`protected override void ConfigureModuleCatalog(IModuleCatalog moduleCatalog)
        {
            moduleCatalog.AddModule(LCombGeneratorModule);
        }
`

Severity Code Description Project File Line Suppression State
Error CS0119 'LCombGeneratorModule' is a type, which is not valid in the given context Combinito C:\Users\moustafa.el-sawy\source\repos\Combinito\Combinito\Bootstrapper.cs 44 Active

[brianlagunas]

you need to provide the type, not the class

[melsawy93]

omg, thank you so much. It works!! I changed it to typeof(...)!! I have learnt alot debugging this!

[melsawy93]

Anyone facing same issue: I had to used ConfigureModuleCatalog() instead of CreateModuleCatalog(). I have yet to know why CreateModuleCatalog() wasnt working for me.

Final code:

`        protected override void ConfigureModuleCatalog(IModuleCatalog moduleCatalog)

        {
            moduleCatalog.AddModule(typeof(LCombGeneratorModule));
        }
`

Edit: thanks to Brian's help.