Load and execute class libraries by themselves so that i dont have to reference it, and fire a method from the .exe file to get the library to run

Question

User-1982615125 posted

class libraries have to be referenced.

but can i make .dll files in a way, that when i copy them into a folder of my .exe program, that they load and execute by themselves so that i dont have to reference it, and fire a method from the .exe file to get the library moving?

im trying to make a addon/plugin system for my project.

Answer 1

User475983607 posted

Load an assembly.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1009fa28(v=vs.110).aspx

Answer 2

User753101303 posted

Hi,

It could go from building your own (usually you are using an interface to ensure which plugin method(s) should be implemented) : http://www.divelements.co.uk/net/articles/plugins/plugins.asp or you even have a full add-in  system at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/add-ins/ which AFAIK also allows to not run the add-in code with the same trust level than your main code

Answer 3

User-1982615125 posted

you mean like so?:

Assembly.LoadFrom("plugin.dll")

if this is right, then there is my next problem. how do i allow a class library to run code upon load?

Answer 4

User475983607 posted

if this is right, then there is my next problem. how do i allow a class library to run code upon load?

All programs have an entry point usually main();