Global Assembly Cache

Assemblies

• A collection of single-file or multiple files (exe or dll), generate when compile successfully.
• It can create application without disturb other (different version).
• Composed by manifest, type metadata, MSIL, resources.
• Strong name assemblies will have public key token.
• Shared assemblies is GAC, and Private assemblies

Manifest 

• Contain identification information.
• Version, Name, Culture, Security Requirements.

GAC

• Shared Assemblies at 1 location for all multiple .NET application.
• Using GAC, we no need copy local physical file to every projects, it like system assembly(using System;)
• It not suitable to xcopy deployment.
• Why Imporant (Shared Location, Mutiple Versioning, File Security)

Step 1: Generate public key token

sn.exe -k c:\MyStrongKeys.snk (Developer Command Prompt)

Step 2: Add the Strong Key to Class library AssemblyInfo (Class > Properties > AssemblyInfo)

[assembly: AssemblyKeyFile("C:\\MyStrongKeys.snk")]

Step 3: Add the assembly to GAC

cd C:\Users\oby\Documents\visual studio 2015\Projects\Training\GACClassLibrary\bin\Debug

gacutil.exe -i GACClassLibrary.dll

.NET 4.0 > will at C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\assembly\GAC_MSIL

.NET 4.0 < will at C:\Windows\assembly

Step 4: How to Call GAC

Specific Version and Key in code

Assembly SampleAssembly1 = Assembly.Load("GACClassLibrary, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=30e23367dbe9711c");          

Specific Version and Key in WebConfig

Assembly SampleAssembly1 = Assembly.Load("GACClassLibrary");

  <runtime>

    <assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">

      <dependentAssembly>

        <assemblyIdentity name="GACClassLibrary" publicKeyToken="30e23367dbe9711c" Culture="neutral" />

        <bindingRedirect oldVersion="1.0.0.0" newVersion="2.0.0.0" />

      </dependentAssembly>

    </assemblyBinding>

  </runtime>

Excecute It

 MethodInfo methodInfo1 = SampleAssembly1.GetTypes()[0].GetMethod("Main");