Different Version of DLL for .NET framework

Question

Hi All,

Currently I have installed 2 frameworks i.e Framework 4.0 and Framework 4.5.2

 I have code (dll) which is built in Framework 4.5.2 and I want to use it in Framework 4.0.

Does VS support this operatability meaning supporting higher version in Smaller version (I know we can support small version in higher version) ?

Thanks.

Answer 1

As long as you just code to the 4.0 framework, it should run just fine on machines with updated versions. Note, you should change the framework target in your project settings, to ensure you don't pick up anything specific to the newer updates.

Sincerely,

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Ed Dore

Answer 2

Hi,

An assembly compiled against .NET 4.0 can run on .NET 4.5.x (backward compatibility).

The opposite (forward compatibility) is not true, because a .NET Framework is a Common Language Runtime (CLR) + .NET Libraries, and therefore the CLR can be different and the .NET 4.0 may not have libraries provided by .NET 4.5.x.

See:

Version Compatibility in the .NET Framework
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff602939(v=vs.110).aspx

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