Side-by-Side Execution

Side-by-side execution is the ability to install multiple versions of code so that an application can choose which version of the common language runtime or of a component it uses. Subsequent installations of other versions of the runtime, an application, or a component will not affect applications already installed.

The way that the common language runtime manages side-by-side execution depends on the type of application you are running. Managed executable applications, such as Windows Forms or executable applications installed locally through an Internet browser are managed differently than ASP.NET applications and XML Web services. For more information, see the sections in the following list.