Each computer where the common language runtime is installed has a
machine-wide code cache called the global assembly cache. The global assembly
cache stores assemblies specifically designated to be shared by several
applications on the computer.
There are two ways to deploy an assembly into the global assembly cache:
A strong name consists of the assembly's identity—its simple text name, version number, and culture information (if provided)—plus a public key and a digital signature. It is generated from an assembly file (the file that contains the assembly manifest, which in turn contains the names and hashes of all the files that make up the assembly), using the corresponding private key.
There are two ways to deploy an assembly into the global assembly cache:
-
Use an installer designed to work with the global assembly cache. This is the
preferred option for installing assemblies into the global assembly cache.
- Use a developer tool called the Global Assembly Cache tool (Gacutil.exe), provided by the Windows Software Development Kit (SDK).
A strong name consists of the assembly's identity—its simple text name, version number, and culture information (if provided)—plus a public key and a digital signature. It is generated from an assembly file (the file that contains the assembly manifest, which in turn contains the names and hashes of all the files that make up the assembly), using the corresponding private key.