In the world of .NET development, keeping track of the versions of your assemblies is crucial. With each update, bug fix, and new feature, the assembly version changes. This allows for proper version control and ensures that the correct version of an assembly is being used in different applications. In this article, we will explore how to view the assembly version of a .NET assembly in Windows Vista and newer versions such as Windows 7 and 2008.
Before we dive into the steps, let's first understand what an assembly is and why versioning is important. An assembly is a compiled unit of code that contains all the necessary information for an application to run. It includes the code, resources, and metadata that describes the assembly, including its version. Versioning is crucial because it allows for proper identification and tracking of changes made to the assembly.
Now, let's get started with viewing the assembly version in Windows Vista and newer versions. The process is relatively simple and can be done in just a few steps.
Step 1: Open the Assembly in Windows Explorer
To view the assembly version, we first need to locate the assembly in Windows Explorer. This can be done by navigating to the directory where the assembly is located. Once you have located the assembly, right-click on it and select "Properties."
Step 2: Navigate to the Details Tab
In the properties window, navigate to the "Details" tab. This tab contains all the information about the assembly, including its version.
Step 3: View the Assembly Version
Under the "Details" tab, you will see a section called "Product version." This section contains the assembly version. The version number is listed in a "MAJOR.MINOR.BUILD.REVISION" format. The major and minor numbers indicate the major and minor releases of the assembly, while the build and revision numbers represent the current build and revision of the assembly.
Step 4: Additional Information
Apart from the assembly version, the "Details" tab also contains other useful information, such as the file size, date modified, and copyright information. This can be helpful when managing multiple versions of an assembly.
Viewing Assembly Version in Command Prompt
Another way to view the assembly version is through the command prompt. This method is particularly useful for developers who prefer using the command line. Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt
Open the command prompt by typing "cmd" in the search bar and hitting enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the Assembly Directory
Use the "cd" command to navigate to the directory where the assembly is located.
Step 3: Use the "FileVersion" Command
In the command prompt, type "FileVersion assembly_name.dll" and hit enter. This will display the assembly version along with other information such as the file size and date modified.
In Conclusion
In this article, we have explored two methods for viewing the assembly version of a .NET assembly in Windows Vista and newer versions. Keeping track of assembly versions is crucial for proper version control and ensuring the correct version is being used in different applications. By following these simple steps, you can easily view the assembly version and other important information about your assemblies.
