Create .NET DLL without Copy Local

BrandonLeonard · January 30th, 2012, 11:26 AM

I'm attempting to write a DLL to keep in common among all of my applications in the spirit of Microsoft and Adobe who use this practice. I seem to have an issue with the DLL not registering correctly. After reading chapter 28 in this book (Visual Basic 2010 and .NET 4) I have tried every avenue. [Again I don't need any of them if I copy local but that defeats the purpose.] I have Selected the "Make assembly COM-Visible" the "Register for COM interop" and the "regasm" command prompt and my other .NET Apps still say they cannot find the DLL. I have all the files in a central "Microsoft Standard Practice Approved" location with correct permission. This is .NET to .NET so youâd think it would be easier. They are all in the same solution (again per Microsoft Standard Practice). Any help beyond what is in the "Visual Basic 2010 and .NET 4" book would be greatly appreciated.

Shasur · February 3rd, 2012, 10:59 PM

Hi Brandon

I'm not sure if I had got your question completely. One thing I would suggest is to have it in the Global Assembly Cache (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315682). If you have tried this earlier, let us wait for suggestions from others too

Cheers
Shasur

anubhav.kumar · March 6th, 2012, 11:37 AM

Hi,

If you do not want to put it in GAC and still want to share it acroos multiple applications, you may need to do the following:

Create a folder which is outside the solution folders, say c:\MySharedAssembly
In the post build event [ accessible through project proerties], of the class library, write a script to copy your output [.dll file] to the folder created in #1.
Also, you need to sign your assembly during compilation, to make it strongly typed. This is the most important step. This is doable through project properties page.
In the config files of all applications you will need to add a <runtime> section and provide the path for the referenced assembly [c:\MySharedAssembly]. Make sure that copy local is false in your class library.

For example:

Code:

 
<runtime>
    <assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">
      <dependentAssembly>
        <assemblyIdentity name="MySharedAsm"
                          culture="neutral" publicKeyToken="08960b9f06749624"  />
        <codeBase version="2.0.0.0"
                  href="C:\MySharedAsm.dll"/>
      </dependentAssembly>
    </assemblyBinding>
</runtime>

Please refer to the following article on MSDN and dwelve a bit , you will get it working:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7wd6ex19.aspx

Thanks.

P.S.: My current project runs in similar fashion.

, but couldn't share those details on public forum.