.Net Attributes Versions

Understanding File Version and Assembly Version in .NET Applications

When working on .NET applications, managing versioning can become a challenging task. Particularly, developers often grapple with the proper usage of File Version and Assembly Version. In this blog post, we will delve into these two versioning attributes, their significance, and guidance on how to use them effectively within your projects.

The Challenge of Versioning

.NET projects typically require two distinct version numbers: the File Version and the Assembly Version. These two can sometimes be confusing, especially when it comes to their applications and how they interact with one another. Here’s a brief overview:

  • Assembly Version: This attribute indicates the version of the assembly manifest itself, which is crucial during assembly resolution. It’s more about the compatibility of your code when it’s being called by other assemblies.

  • File Version: This refers to the version of the physical file on disk, and it is not used by the .NET runtime. This means users can see this version in the file properties of the assembly but doesn’t affect the referencing of assemblies during runtime.

Best Practices for Using File Version and Assembly Version

Keeping Them Separate

One common practice is to keep the assembly version constant while updating the file version. For instance, if you have multiple assemblies like one executable (exe) and several dynamic-link libraries (dlls), you can:

  • Set the same Assembly Version for all assemblies (exe and dlls). This way, you keep your assembly interface consistent.
  • Differentiate the File Version for individual assemblies (ex: exe has version 1.0.0.0 while dll1 has 1.0.0.1, dll2 has 1.0.0.2, etc.). This allows you to track changes made to the executables specifically.

This strategy allows you to maintain a clear understanding of what version of each DLL aligns with the executable, simplifying project management and minimizing compatibility issues.

Auto-Incrementing Versions

In some cases, developers prefer to auto-increment the File Version for each build while manually updating the Assembly Version only when significant changes are made. This means after each compile, the File Version might reflect build specifics (for example, 1.0.0.1, 1.0.0.2, and so on), whereas Assembly Version updates happen at a larger interval (such as 1.0.0 to 1.0.1, etc.).

The Role of AssemblyInformationalVersion

The AssemblyInformationalVersion attribute is yet another important versioning tool. This attribute can store a string representation of the version, typically used for informational purposes to display additional details about the current version that may not fit neatly into the structured versioning systems.

  • This could include labels like “beta”, “release candidate”, or other qualitative markers.
  • It helps users understand the state of the software at a glance.

Conclusion

Understanding and effectively utilizing File Version, Assembly Version, and AssemblyInformationalVersion in your .NET projects can lead to better version control and a smoother development process. By adopting consistent versioning conventions, you can minimize potential conflicts and keep your projects manageable.

For additional guidance, you might refer to the support article from Microsoft: How to use Assembly Version and Assembly File Version.

By following these practices, you’ll not only keep your code organized but also enhance collaboration in team environments where multiple developers are working on the same application.