GAC, Windows Assembly
Can someone clear up something for me. What is the difference between the GAC and the c:\windows\assembly folder? I thought I read they were one in the same.
However, I've being trying to add a DLL to the GAC. I created an MSI setup for my DLL. This DLL in turn has a dependency on a third party DLL. When I run the install, I see the third party DLL in c:\windows\assembly. However I do not see my DLL. So, I tried using the GACUTIL from the command line to install my DLL to the GAC. That worked. I can list back my GAC entry using GACUTIL. I can also list the third party DLL using GACUTIL. However I still do not see my DLL in c:\windows\assembly.
Can anyone explain this?
However, I've being trying to add a DLL to the GAC. I created an MSI setup for my DLL. This DLL in turn has a dependency on a third party DLL. When I run the install, I see the third party DLL in c:\windows\assembly. However I do not see my DLL. So, I tried using the GACUTIL from the command line to install my DLL to the GAC. That worked. I can list back my GAC entry using GACUTIL. I can also list the third party DLL using GACUTIL. However I still do not see my DLL in c:\windows\assembly.
Can anyone explain this?
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ASKER
that was my guess. So, this third party provides DLL's for .NET 1.1, 2.0, 3.5 and 4.0. If I'm running 4.0, and my DLL uses the 4.0 version of the third party DLL, why would it end up in the older GAC location? is there a way to force it into one location or the other?
And this means GACUTIL pull from both locations, since I can list my DLL and the third party DLL.
And this means GACUTIL pull from both locations, since I can list my DLL and the third party DLL.
is there a way to force it into one location or the other?
When anybody could "force" things like that, such as in the older System folder, it became a mess.
They solved that problem in .NET with the GAC and Gacutil. Let the GAC manage itself. The framework will find your dll that way. If everybody could start fooling around by "forcing" things, we would end up with the same old mess.
If you want to have control over the location of a dll, put it in the application folder or use a CodeBase in the assembly configuration file to specify where it is. If you want it in the GAC, let the GAC work for you.
When anybody could "force" things like that, such as in the older System folder, it became a mess.
They solved that problem in .NET with the GAC and Gacutil. Let the GAC manage itself. The framework will find your dll that way. If everybody could start fooling around by "forcing" things, we would end up with the same old mess.
If you want to have control over the location of a dll, put it in the application folder or use a CodeBase in the assembly configuration file to specify where it is. If you want it in the GAC, let the GAC work for you.
ASKER
Sorry. I do not want to force it. I'm trying to understand why the third party DLL I am using is in one GAC and my DLL is in the other. I'm using .NET 4.0. If the third party DLL is meant to be used with 4.0, why is it in the 2.0 GAC? That's what I'm trying to figure out.
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ASKER
Thanks so much. I appreciate that you took the time to explain. One last question: My DLL is not part of the framewok, but it was installed in the %windir%\Microsoft.NET\ass
You should ask the gods at Microsoft. They often have strange ways, but usually good answers to explain their ways :-)
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However, GACUTIL lisst both DLL. Why?