Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) Certification Practice Test

What does the command 'Marshal.SecureStringToGlobalAllocUnicode' do?

1. Converts a SecureString to a regular string

2. Allocates memory for a SecureString

3. Frees unmanaged memory

4. Generates a new SecureString

The correct answer is: Converts a SecureString to a regular string

The command 'Marshal.SecureStringToGlobalAllocUnicode' is specifically used to convert a SecureString into a format that can be used in non-managed code by allocating a block of unmanaged memory. The key functionality of this command is to safely transfer sensitive string data by leveraging SecureString's protection while allowing it to be used in other contexts that require a standard string format. Therefore, the operation performed does not actually convert a SecureString into a regular string that is usable in managed code. Instead, it facilitates access to the secure string through unmanaged memory, which is necessary for scenarios where APIs require a string that isn’t under the direct management of the .NET garbage collector. Understanding this concept is crucial, as SecureString is designed to hold sensitive data securely in memory, and this command allows developers to work with that data in environments that do not directly support SecureString. Thus, the focus remains on ensuring security while enabling compatibility with other systems.