compile code at run-time and use assemblies loaded on memory

Question

I need to compile C# code at run-time. I'm using the code like this:

CSharpCodeProvider provider = new CSharpCodeProvider();
CompilerParameters parameters = new CompilerParameters();
parameters.ReferencedAssemblies.Add("MyLibrary.dll");    // File Path on Hard Drive
...

But I want to use the libraries loaded on memory instead of their file addresses. Is it possible?

This is a very persistent myth. "Loaded on memory" is an illusion, current compilers (csc.exe in your case) run out-of-process and read/write assemblies on disk. All that the GenerateInMemory property does is forcing a call to Assembly.LoadFrom(). So just don't bother. — Hans Passant, Sep 02 '14 at 11:06

Patrick Hofman · Answer 1 · 2014-09-02T10:46:05.277

3

If it is an assembly that isn't generated in-memory only, you could use:

parameters.ReferencedAssemblies.Add
( typeof(ClassInAssemblyYouWantToAdd).Assembly.Location
);

Or:

parameters.ReferencedAssemblies.Add
( Assembly.Load("Full.Qualified.Assembly.Name").Location
);

The Location property has the path to the assembly loaded.

It has to have a hard copy of the assembly, and not just something in memory, so you can't just use generated assemblies for that. You could save the in-memory generated assemblies to disk first if you need to use them.

edited Sep 02 '14 at 10:46

answered Sep 02 '14 at 09:49

Patrick Hofman

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I do some pre-process on my assemblies and load them on memory. I have their `Assembly` object. In this case can I use your code? – Ali Sepehri.Kh Sep 02 '14 at 09:54
Sure. Give it a try and tell me if you experience any problems. – Patrick Hofman Sep 02 '14 at 09:55
@AliSepehri.Kh: Any luck? – Patrick Hofman Sep 02 '14 at 10:24
I try the CodeBase and it returns the file name of the assembly that loads my assemblies on memory. – Ali Sepehri.Kh Sep 02 '14 at 10:31
1

If that wrong? You can't just put there in-memory assemblies as explained in the post. – Patrick Hofman Sep 02 '14 at 10:35
oh yes, I didn't see that, Is there any way to use the assembly loaded on memory and has no hard copy? – Ali Sepehri.Kh Sep 02 '14 at 10:40
1

No, but you can save it first. Set the `compilerParams.OutputAssembly` to a file path. – Patrick Hofman Sep 02 '14 at 10:42
Btw, I would suggest `Location` instead of `CodeBase`. It has the full path. – Patrick Hofman Sep 02 '14 at 10:46
I really appreciate you because of your answers. – Ali Sepehri.Kh Sep 02 '14 at 10:47
I've encrypted my assemblies and I want to decrypt them before loading or using. In this case I should save my decrypted assemblies in hard drive and this isn't good. – Ali Sepehri.Kh Sep 02 '14 at 10:56
Not sure if it works, but worth a test: try handling [`AppDomain.AssemblyResolve`](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.appdomain.assemblyresolve(v=vs.110).aspx). Check if it catches the referenced assembly (then you don't need the path, just the FQN). – Patrick Hofman Sep 02 '14 at 11:00
1

Too bad. Also see Hans' comment. I think there is not much to do. – Patrick Hofman Sep 02 '14 at 11:13
Unfortunately I can not find a solution yet. Really thank you Patrick for your attention. If I find a solution I will certainly inform you :) – Ali Sepehri.Kh Sep 02 '14 at 16:40
I used Roslyn to extract the public interface of my assemblies. Now I'm using these generated assemblies for compilation. See [this question](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/25699799/compile-c-sharp-code-dynamically-without-using-original-required-assemblies) – Ali Sepehri.Kh Sep 08 '14 at 07:31

compile code at run-time and use assemblies loaded on memory

1 Answers1