How to use Msgpack between a C# program and a Node.js program?

I've successfully transfered data from a C# and a C++ program using the same class via ZMQ, where the C++ class is the data definition and the compiler luckily masks the byte-array to the class.

How would I do the same thing between say a C# and a Node.js program? I would think they would need some type of Intermediate Data Definition.

Start by looking at the node-msgpack repository on github... Then install it... npm install msgpack

There's also msgpack-js an all-js implementation that may work better, especially if you're running on windows. npm install msgpack-js

I would suggest being careful of the types used as JS doesn't have a 1:1 relationship to msgpack or the CLI. It should map pretty nicely, though the C# MsgPack API isn't as flexible as say JSON.Net As for transport, you can use pipes/sockets or an MQ system, as you've mentioned ZeroMQ.

The answer is that you need an IDL that is then compiled to your given languages, unless your languages pack similarly by default, like in C to C++.

If you need a msgpack IDL, see if one is available here or here