GAC driver limits the length of .NET assembly names (821116)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Application Center 2000
  • Microsoft Application Center 2000 SP1
  • Microsoft Application Center 2000 SP2

SYMPTOMS

You cannot deploy .NET assemblies because of assembly name length limitations in the Global Assembly Cache (GAC) driver.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the API that is used in .NET assembly deployments cannot handle assembly path lengths that are greater than MAX_PATH. This value is set to 255 characters.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use a shorter name for the .NET assembly.

MORE INFORMATION

The longest assembly name that the Applicaton Center GAC driver can replicate is much shorter than 255 characters. For English versions of Microsoft Windows, the longest assembly name is typically fewer than 70 characters. Application Center installs GAC assemblies from a temporary replication path that is named Driveletter:\$ACSRPL$\ReplicationID\AssemblyName.Assemblyattributes\Assemblyname.dll Assuming that this example contains a 15-character computer name in ReplicationID, Assemblyattributes with version=n.n.nnnn.n, and culture=neutral, this assembly name would have a length of about 68 characters on a computer that is running the English version of Windows.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/1/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB821116 kbAudDeveloper
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