NOTE: This main purpose of the question to UNDERSTAND/EXPLAIN the assembly binding behavior of the CLR. The solution should be evident once the reason is pinned down. Please, know that I understand my setup is not optimal (nativedll not signed and versioned etc) but again I just want to investigate the binding behavior of the CLR.
I am attempting to use a native (non-COM, C++) dll into my asp.net solution. I am going to refrain from naming the dll because I think it diverts the topic in the wrong direction.
The native dll is from a blog site and does not have much information with it. I do not have any information about the native dll like architecture it was compiled on, what culture and version it is etc. Using the provided wrapper, I can use the dll in a console application properly. It works, even though we have to use partial assembly name for binding. The wrapper for the native assembly has DLL imports like [DllImport("nativedll.dll")]
public static extern void someMethod([Out] BE_VERSION pbeVersion);
I have read through loads and loads of information about CLR assembly binding including:
How the Runtime Locates Assemblies
Best Practices for Assembly Loading
Per my understanding, we should be able to get the assembly loaded, but no. I get assembly binding errors.
SETUP
My helper library (compiled as MSIL (Any CPU)) that call the native dll is strong named and is in the GAC.. I am running my asp.net app on a Win 7, x64 bit machine on IIS, not the visual studio development server. The nativedll is NOT signed and NOT GACed.
THE ISSUE
The summary is, when I place the native dll in the windows directory, (c:\Windows) the solution works fine. In any other case, I get assembly binding errors.
QUESTIONS
1. I would like to know what why is the assembly getting bound when dropped in the windows directory?
2. What does it mean by error: ERR: Error extracting manifest import from file (hr = 0x80131018)? (Look at Scenario 1, Scenario 6)
3. Why does the call to Assembly.Load*() methods fail? (Scenario 3, 4, 5)
RESULTS OF MY TESTING
Scenario 1:
**Setup**
Calling Assembly: GACed.
Native Assembly: Included in project; Build Action: None; Copy To Output Directory: Copy Always.
**Description:**
Logged into the site, home page open. Did not navigate to the page with native call.
**Result:**
Binding Error
*** Assembly Binder Log Entry (12/13/2012 @ 11:28:23 AM) ***
The operation failed.
Bind result: hr = 0x80131018. No description available.
Assembly manager loaded from: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\clr.dll
Running under executable C:\Windows\SysWOW64\inetsrv\w3wp.exe
--- A detailed error log follows.
=== Pre-bind state information ===
LOG: User = NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
LOG: DisplayName = nativedll
(Partial)
WRN: Partial binding information was supplied for an assembly:
WRN: Assembly Name: nativedll | Domain ID: 2
WRN: A partial bind occurs when only part of the assembly display name is provided.
WRN: This might result in the binder loading an incorrect assembly.
WRN: It is recommended to provide a fully specified textual identity for the assembly,
WRN: that consists of the simple name, version, culture, and public key token.
WRN: See whitepaper http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=109270 for more information and common solutions to this issue.
LOG: Appbase = file:///C:/WebUI/
LOG: Initial PrivatePath = C:\WebUI\bin
LOG: Dynamic Base = C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\Temporary ASP.NET Files\webui\69d9ded4
LOG: Cache Base = C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\Temporary ASP.NET Files\webui\69d9ded4
LOG: AppName = ca4be085
Calling assembly : (Unknown).
===
LOG: This bind starts in default load context.
LOG: Using application configuration file: C:\WebUI\web.config
LOG: Using host configuration file: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet.config
LOG: Using machine configuration file from C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\config\machine.config.
LOG: Policy not being applied to reference at this time (private, custom, partial, or location-based assembly bind).
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v4.0.30319/Temporary ASP.NET Files/webui/69d9ded4/ca4be085/nativedll.DLL.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v4.0.30319/Temporary ASP.NET Files/webui/69d9ded4/ca4be085/nativedll/nativedll.DLL.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/WebUI/bin/nativedll.DLL.
LOG: Assembly download was successful. Attempting setup of file: C:\WebUI\bin\nativedll.dll
LOG: Entering download cache setup phase.
ERR: Error extracting manifest import from file (hr = 0x80131018).
ERR: Setup failed with hr = 0x80131018.
ERR: Failed to complete setup of assembly (hr = 0x80131018). Probing terminated.
Scenario 2:
**Setup**
Scenario 1 + Just copy the nativedll to C:\Windows folder. No reset of anytype.
**Description**
Navigate to the page calling native.
Result:
Success. Native Functionality is invoked. No binding failure.
Scenario 3:
**Setup**
Calling Assembly: GACed.
Native Assembly: Build Action: None; Copy To Output Directory: Copy Always.
Description:
Breakpoint at the point of native function call, use immediate window to execute the following code:
var pat = pat = Path.Combine(AppDomain.CurrentDomain.RelativeSearchPath, "nativedll.dll");
var a = Assembly.LoadFrom(pat);
**Result**
Exception raised:
System.BadImageFormatException was unhandled
HResult=-2146234344
Message=Could not load file or assembly 'file:///C:\WebUI\bin\nativedll.dll' or one of its dependencies. The module was expected to contain an assembly manifest.
Source=mscorlib
FileName=file:///C:\WebUI\bin\nativedll.dll
FusionLog=Assembly manager loaded from: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\clr.dll
Running under executable C:\Windows\SysWOW64\inetsrv\w3wp.exe
--- A detailed error log follows.
=== Pre-bind state information ===
LOG: User = NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
LOG: Where-ref bind. Location = C:\WebUI\bin\nativedll.dll
LOG: Appbase = file:///C:/WebUI/
LOG: Initial PrivatePath = C:\WebUI\bin
Calling assembly : (Unknown).
===
LOG: This bind starts in LoadFrom load context.
WRN: Native image will not be probed in LoadFrom context. Native image will only be probed in default load context, like with Assembly.Load().
LOG: Using application configuration file: C:\WebUI\web.config
LOG: Using host configuration file: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet.config
LOG: Using machine configuration file from C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\config\machine.config.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/WebUI/bin/nativedll.dll.
ERR: Failed to complete setup of assembly (hr = 0x80131018). Probing terminated.
StackTrace:
at System.Reflection.RuntimeAssembly._nLoad(AssemblyName fileName, String codeBase, Evidence assemblySecurity, RuntimeAssembly locationHint, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, IntPtr pPrivHostBinder, Boolean throwOnFileNotFound, Boolean forIntrospection, Boolean suppressSecurityChecks)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeAssembly.nLoad(AssemblyName fileName, String codeBase, Evidence assemblySecurity, RuntimeAssembly locationHint, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, IntPtr pPrivHostBinder, Boolean throwOnFileNotFound, Boolean forIntrospection, Boolean suppressSecurityChecks)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeAssembly.InternalLoadAssemblyName(AssemblyName assemblyRef, Evidence assemblySecurity, RuntimeAssembly reqAssembly, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, IntPtr pPrivHostBinder, Boolean throwOnFileNotFound, Boolean forIntrospection, Boolean suppressSecurityChecks)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeAssembly.InternalLoadFrom(String assemblyFile, Evidence securityEvidence, Byte[] hashValue, AssemblyHashAlgorithm hashAlgorithm, Boolean forIntrospection, Boolean suppressSecurityChecks, StackCrawlMark& stackMark)
at System.Reflection.Assembly.LoadFrom(String assemblyFile)
InnerException:
Scenario 4:
**Setup**
Calling Assembly: GACed.
Native Assembly: Build Action: None; Copy To Output Directory: Copy Always.
**Description**
Breakpoint at the point of native function call, use immediate window to execute the following code:
var pat = pat = Path.Combine(AppDomain.CurrentDomain.RelativeSearchPath, "nativedll.dll");
var a = Assembly.Load(pat);
**Result**
Exception raised:
System.IO.FileLoadException was unhandled
HResult=-2146234297
Message=Could not load file or assembly 'C:\\WebUI\\bin\\nativedll.dll' or one of its dependencies. The given assembly name or codebase was invalid. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131047)
Source=mscorlib
FileName=C:\\WebUI\\bin\\nativedll.dll
FusionLog=""
StackTrace:
at System.Reflection.AssemblyName.nInit(RuntimeAssembly& assembly, Boolean forIntrospection, Boolean raiseResolveEvent)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeAssembly.CreateAssemblyName(String assemblyString, Boolean forIntrospection, RuntimeAssembly& assemblyFromResolveEvent)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeAssembly.InternalLoad(String assemblyString, Evidence assemblySecurity, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, IntPtr pPrivHostBinder, Boolean forIntrospection)
at System.Reflection.RuntimeAssembly.InternalLoad(String assemblyString, Evidence assemblySecurity, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, Boolean forIntrospection)
at System.Reflection.Assembly.Load(String assemblyString)
InnerException:
Scenario 5:
**Setup**
Calling Assembly: GACed.
Native Assembly: Build Action: None; Copy To Output Directory: Copy Always.
**Description: **
Breakpoint at the point of native function call, use immediate window to execute the following code:
var pat = pat = Path.Combine(AppDomain.CurrentDomain.RelativeSearchPath, "nativedll.dll");
var a = Assembly.LoadFile(pat);
**Result**
Exception raised:
System.BadImageFormatException was unhandled
HResult=-2146234344
Message=The module was expected to contain an assembly manifest. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131018)
Source=mscorlib
StackTrace:
at System.Reflection.RuntimeAssembly.nLoadFile(String path, Evidence evidence)
at System.Reflection.Assembly.LoadFile(String path)
InnerException:
Scenario 6:
**Setup**
Calling Assembly: GACed.
Native Assembly: Excluded from project. Manually copied into the bin folder prior to execution.
**Description: **
Logged into the site, home page open. Did not navigate to the page with native call.
**Result**
Binding Error: (Output: Assembly Binding Log Viewer)
Assembly Binder Log Entry (12/13/2012 @ 2:19:13 PM)
The operation failed.
Bind result: hr = 0x80131018. No description available.
Assembly manager loaded from: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\clr.dll
Running under executable C:\Windows\SysWOW64\inetsrv\w3wp.exe
--- A detailed error log follows.
=== Pre-bind state information ===
LOG: User = NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
LOG: DisplayName = nativedll
(Partial)
WRN: Partial binding information was supplied for an assembly:
WRN: Assembly Name: nativedll | Domain ID: 2
WRN: A partial bind occurs when only part of the assembly display name is provided.
WRN: This might result in the binder loading an incorrect assembly.
WRN: It is recommended to provide a fully specified textual identity for the assembly,
WRN: that consists of the simple name, version, culture, and public key token.
WRN: See whitepaper http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=109270 for more information and common solutions to this issue.
LOG: Appbase = file:///C:/Web/WebUI/
LOG: Initial PrivatePath = C:\WebUI\bin
LOG: Dynamic Base = C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\Temporary ASP.NET Files\webui\69d9ded4
LOG: Cache Base = C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\Temporary ASP.NET Files\webui\69d9ded4
LOG: AppName = ca4be085
Calling assembly : (Unknown).
===
LOG: This bind starts in default load context.
LOG: Using application configuration file: C:\WebUI\web.config
LOG: Using host configuration file: C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet.config
LOG: Using machine configuration file from C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\config\machine.config.
LOG: Policy not being applied to reference at this time (private, custom, partial, or location-based assembly bind).
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v4.0.30319/Temporary ASP.NET Files/webui/69d9ded4/ca4be085/nativedll.DLL.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v4.0.30319/Temporary ASP.NET Files/webui/69d9ded4/ca4be085/nativedll/nativedll.DLL.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/WebUI/bin/nativedll.DLL.
LOG: Assembly download was successful. Attempting setup of file: C:\\WebUI\bin\nativedll.dll
LOG: Entering download cache setup phase.
ERR: Error extracting manifest import from file (hr = 0x80131018).
ERR: Setup failed with hr = 0x80131018.
ERR: Failed to complete setup of assembly (hr = 0x80131018). Probing terminated.
Scenario 7:
**Setup**
Scenario 6 + Just copy the nativedll to C:\Windows folder. No reset of anytype.
**Description**
Navigate to the page calling native.
Result:
Success. Native Functionality is invoked. No binding failure.
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