The VB6 Era: COM Components and DLL Hell
My journey began with Visual Basic 6, where shared libraries were managed through COM components. The concept seemed straightforward: store shared DLLs in the Windows System directory (typically C:\Windows\System32) and register them using regsvr32.exe. The Windows Registry kept track of these components under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.
However, this system had a significant flaw that we now famously know as “DLL Hell.” Let me share a practical example: Imagine you have two systems, A and B, both using Crystal Reports 7. If you uninstall either system, the other would break because the shared DLL would be removed. Version control was primarily managed by location, making it a precarious system at best.
Enter .NET Framework: The GAC Revolution
When Microsoft introduced the .NET Framework, it brought a sophisticated solution to these problems: the Global Assembly Cache (GAC). Located at C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\assembly\ (for .NET 4.0 and later), the GAC represented a significant improvement in shared library management.
The most revolutionary aspect was the introduction of assembly identity. Instead of relying solely on filenames and locations, each assembly now had a unique identity consisting of:
- Simple name (e.g., “MyCompany.MyLibrary”)
- Version number (e.g., “1.0.0.0”)
- Culture information
- Public key token
A typical assembly full name would look like this:
MyCompany.MyLibrary, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089
This robust identification system meant that multiple versions of the same assembly could coexist peacefully, solving many of the versioning nightmares that plagued the VB6 era.
The Modern Approach: Private Dependencies
Fast forward to 2025, and we’re living in what I call the “brave new world” of .NET for multi-operative systems. The landscape has changed dramatically. Storage is no longer the premium resource it once was, and the trend has shifted away from shared libraries toward application-local deployment.
Modern applications often ship with their own private version of the .NET runtime and dependencies. This approach eliminates the risks associated with shared components and gives applications complete control over their runtime environment.
Reflection on Technology Evolution
While researching Blazor’s future and seeing discussions about Microsoft’s technology choices, I’m reminded that technology evolution is a constant journey. Organizations move slowly in production environments, and that’s often for good reason. The shift from COM components to GAC to private dependencies wasn’t just a technical evolution – it was a response to real-world problems and changing resources.
This journey from VB6 to modern .NET reveals an interesting pattern: sometimes the best solution isn’t sharing resources but giving each application its own isolated environment. It’s fascinating how the decreasing cost of storage and increasing need for reliability has transformed our approach to dependency management.
As I return to my AI research, this trip down memory lane serves as a reminder that while technology constantly evolves, understanding its history helps us appreciate the solutions we have today and better prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.