In .NET Framework, to use an assembly or DLL which is compiled as Class library, can be called from another solution to use its Classes and related code within the solution project.
In order to have a compiled dll file to be referenced in console application example, following Class library is compiled as DLL to be used within console application example.
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
namespace ClassLibrary1
{
public class CL_products
{
public string clv_productID;
//constructor///
public CL_products()
{ }
//a method for class to display assigned ID of the product///
public void clfunc_displayInfo()
{
Console.WriteLine("ID of product is: " + clv_productID);
}
}
public class CL_notebooks:CL_products
{
public string clv_notebookID;
public CL_notebooks()
{
}
}
}
Above Class library project is compiled with VS to be used for being able to be called as assembly- referencing from console application. The compiled DLL file ClassLibrary1.dll can be found within debug directory.
Following example demonstrates calling an assembly - a Class library into a Visual Studio solution to use the assembly or library.
Logical steps of example application.
1. Class library contains one class for notebook products. It is added to the console application as reference, and with "using" directive, namespace of Class library is added to the console application example. (to make Classes of library are accessible by console application).
2. Console application creates one instance of CL_products, and assigns an ID. A method which belongs the same Class displays the product ID.
Note: To add reference to a DLL file in a solution, right click at -Solution Explorer- to the references node and, Select -Add reference- (picture 1). Navigate to the tab -browse-. Browse and add the dll file that you have compiled as class library to the console application solution project.
Referenced DLL file shows up in the solution explorer (picture 2).
After the Class library DLL is referenced by console application, application adds namespace which hosts Classes of dll to the application with using directive.
Calling an Assembly or DLL Class Library to the VS solution project example:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Data;
using System.IO;
using ClassLibrary1;//for making Library Classes accessible ///
namespace ConsoleApplication1
class Program
{
static void Main(string [] args)
{
//create an instance of products Class///
ClassLibrary1.CL_products o_product_1 = new CL_products();//Class is accessed from DLL///
//assign ID field a value///
o_product_1.clv_productID = "79";
//display the ID of product via Class library method which is hosted within the product Class in DLL///
o_product_1.clfunc_displayInfo();
Console.Read();
}
}
Following image displays applications output. Product Class is added to the project and an instance is created from it. Console application accessed to the method of DLL Class, and displayed the desired field of Class which is hosted within the DLL.