asked on

add the reference of dll dynamically and use the dll in VB.NET

Hello..
I am making one application in VB.NET in which I want to dynamically add tne reference of
one dll in my application.
I have the dll which calls method "createhtm" along with these parameters ..

(path, nFileName, Outputpath)

How will I add the reference and use the dll dynamically.

Pls do let me know

imu79

As far as I know, you cannot add a reference dynamically.
However, there are some ways you can call a method dynamically. It depends on what type of dll you have. Is it a .NET dll or a COM dll?

RonaldBiemans

Why would you want to add in dynamically?

graye

Sure you can dynamically bind to a DLL at runtime... It's not recommended since it violates the entire .Net security structure. That also means, you won't find any examples on how to do it on the Microsoft web site.

Here is a chunk of a working program that demonstrates how to dynamically load a DLL "plug-in" module at runtime.

Dim Assmbly As Reflection.Assembly
Dim PlugInType As Type
Dim ProbePlugIn As PlugInBase.PlugInBase
Dim PlugInName, temp As String

' load the plug-in DLL
temp = Split(cbFeature.SelectedItem.ToString, "(")(1)
PlugInName = Split(temp, ")")(0)
Try
' If running under the IDE, then always get the development version of the
' plugin DLL from it's development directory (which is a subdirectory under
' this developement directory).
If System.Diagnostics.Debugger.IsAttached Then
Assmbly = Reflection.Assembly.LoadFrom(Application.StartupPath & "\..\" & PlugInName & "\bin\" & PlugInName & ".dll")
Else
Assmbly = Reflection.Assembly.LoadFrom(Application.StartupPath & "\" & PlugInName & ".dll")
End If
PlugInType = Assmbly.GetType(Assmbly.GetName.Name & "." & PlugInName, True, True)
ProbePlugIn = CType(Activator.CreateInstance(PlugInType), PlugInBase.PlugInBase)
Catch ex As Exception
MsgBox("Yikes!, can't find the " & PlugInName & ".dll plug-in" & vbCr & ex.message, MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Internal Program Error")
Exit Sub
End Try

rajender123

ASKER

Hi graaye..
well i tried your code..but it was not working..

after this line it went to exception line(catch error)
PlugInType = Assmbly.GetType(Assmbly.GetName.Name & "." & PlugInName, True, True)

can u let me knwo how to use the methods of the dll...............
well second thing how to add the refrence for PlugInBase.PlugInBase
Psl help me out..
its realyy urgent

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

graye

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