23.1. The .NET Assembly
An assembly is a reusable, self-describing, versionable deployment unit for types and resources. Because it is self-describing, it allows the .NET runtime to fully understand the application and enforce dependency and versioning rules. Unlike Java—in which both a stand-alone application and a component library are deployed as a .jar file—assemblies come in four types or formats:
exe. A console executable. The application must contain one entry point defined in the Main method.
Library. A library (DLL) that can be used by other assemblies.
Module. A nonexecutable collection of compiled code for use in other assemblies.
winexe. A graphical Windows executable. The assembly must contain one entry point.
An assembly consists ...
Get .NET for Java Developers: Migrating to C# now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
