Working on new Neutron installer (which is not MSI based due to some troubles related to Vista UAC system) I had to install the assembly into the GAC without using gacutil.exe. I mean programmatically.
I googled some blog posts on this subject. The first article proposed to use Windows Installer. From my point of view it is too complicated. After that I read about programmatic modifying the GAC with the Fusion APIs (C++ example and managed one). Smells like a hack. Rejected as well.
And then I found the awesome post which describes a really good solution of my problem: you can use System.EnterpriseServices.Internal.Publish class to install your assembly into the GAC and uninstal it back!
You just need to write a line of code:
new System.EnterpriseServices.Internal.Publish().GacInstall(”myassembly.dll”);
NOTE: I have re-posted my post from Neutron blog, where I used to posted in the past.
There were a few comments added:
thanks Dmitry for your post.
I tried this method. But I didn’t see the assembly in assembly cache. Also there is no error with GacInstall method. Do you have any idea?
Hi Raghav,
I have never got the problem you described with GacInstall method. Every time I call this method assembly successfully falls into the GAC.
You can overview the sources of GacInstall method with Reflector for .NET. Open C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\System.EnterpriseServices.dll file in Reflector and press F3. Then select ‘Search Member’ type and enter ‘GacInstall’. That may help you to figure out the reason of your problem.
Hope that helps!
Funny, but while reflectoring System.EnterpriseServices.Internal.Publish.GacInstall, I noticed the functionality relied on fusion.dll … At least, Microsoft is eating its own dog hack. And you can rely on it, for it is documented. 