Absolute reference to common dll's

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Hi, I want to add a reference to a dll library in a c# assembly, vs2005. The problem is, I don't want it to copy to the folder of the executable (Copy Local -> false, I know) and I want it to be in a specific folder.

Example: In project myProgram (-> myProgram.exe, located for example at "c:\SomePrograms\myProgram\" - or anywhere else) I want to add a reference to library "CommonUtils.dll" that is ALWAYS located in "c:\ourCommonLibs\", and I want to access it right there (no local copy and no dynamic linking and no relative path, thank you).

Is there a way to do that?

Posted 26-Sep-10 21:55pm

Longshanx

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PumbaPumba 27-Sep-10 12:06pm

Installing your common Libs to GAC might be a solution.

3 solutions

Solution 2

I think if you place the dlls in the same folder it will work as it is. Otherwise application copies the related dlls to its own folder.

I think the best workaround is not to reference the dll altogether. Rather use System.Reflection to load the dll dynamically from the other one. This will let you use Relative address for referencing the dll.

Use

Assembly.Load

Read this :
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/837908[^]

Posted 27-Sep-10 12:07pm

Abhishek Sur

Solution 3

First of all, do not assume that there must be a C:\ drive on the computer. Make your "common dlls path" configurable.
Next, load the dlls via reflection (myAssembly = System.Reflection.Assembly.LoadFrom(path)), then instantiate the required classes (myAssembly.CreateInstance(...)). You may need to load referenced assemblies (AssemblyName[] referenced = myAssembly.GetReferencedAssemblies()).

Posted 27-Sep-10 22:18pm

Bernhard Hiller

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Sandeep Mewara · Accepted Answer · 2010-09-27T07:52:00

Solution 1

Give dll a strong name and install it in GAC(Global Assembly Cache)... This would fix the location and no relative path needed.

Posted 27-Sep-10 7:52am

Sandeep Mewara

Comments

Longshanx 27-Sep-10 15:23pm

Well, yes, I could do that. But is there another way?