Multiple versions of framework at the same time

  • Thread starter Thread starter Massimiliano Alberti
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Massimiliano Alberti

What happens if I write a .net program using the framework 3.5 and I use a
2.0 dll? Are both frameworks (3.5 and 2.0) loaded at the same time "eating"
more memory, or does the 2.0 dll uses the 3.5 framework?

--- thanks
 
Massimiliano Alberti said:
What happens if I write a .net program using the framework 3.5 and I use a
2.0 dll? Are both frameworks (3.5 and 2.0) loaded at the same time "eating"
more memory, or does the 2.0 dll uses the 3.5 framework?
Click to expand...

There isn't really any such thing as a "2.0 dll" vs a "3.5 dll".
There's just assemblies which use the 2.0 runtime, and which either
refer to assemblies from 3.5 or not.
 
3.5 is set on top of 2.0, so it is not loading entire frameworks 2.0 and
3.5. Furthermore, the framework is sliced up into different assemblies,
which are divided into classes. Portions of this framework are ngened, while
other portions are not.

What this means to you is the only thing loaded is that which you are using,
so don't sweat it.

As far as memory, .NET "eats" a lot of memory anyway. This sounds bad, but
it is really rather efficient overall, as it only garbage collects when it
needs memory. On your machine, you will see this as a growing footprint
until it reaches a certain size. Most of the "used" memory is actually ready
to be collected, but .NET waits until it is needed. "Used" memory that is
not actively being much like "unused" memory, except it needs to be marked
so the rest of the system can take advantage of it.

Hope this helps. Probably a bit too meandering.

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Aaaaand so, in simple terms? If I make a Class Library with visual studio
2008 targetting .Net 2.0 and an app targetting .Net 3.5 that uses the Class
Library I created before, the class library will run under .Net 2.0 or 3.0?
How many frameworks will I have in memory? 1 or 2? Is it the same if I use a
1.1 Class library?

--- bye
 
Massimiliano Alberti said:
Aaaaand so, in simple terms? If I make a Class Library with visual studio
2008 targetting .Net 2.0 and an app targetting .Net 3.5 that uses the Class
Library I created before, the class library will run under .Net 2.0 or 3.0?
How many frameworks will I have in memory? 1 or 2?
Click to expand...

One. A process only ever runs one runtime, and the same runtime is used
for both .NET 2.0 and .NET 3.5 - it's just that there are more
assemblies in .NET 3.5.
Is it the same if I use a 1.1 Class library?
Click to expand...

1.1 has a different CLR - you can't load a CLR-2.0 assembly in the 1.1
CLR. However, you can easily run a CLR-1.1 assembly in a 2.0 CLR, and
you won't get it loading up another framework at the same time.
 
Hi Massimiliano,

The answer is yes, you can. Actually, .net framework 3.0 and 3.5 is are not
completely stand alone from .NET 2.0. They're all built upon .net framework
2.0(3.0 AND 3.5 rely on most of the .NET framework 2.0 system assemblies).
Therefore, you can use .NET framework 2.0 built assemblies in .NET 3.0 or
..NET 3.5 equipted application without any problems.

Sincerely,

Steven Cheng

Microsoft MSDN Online Support Lead


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