<codeBase> Element

Specifies where the common language runtime can find an assembly.

<configuration>
   <runtime>
      <assemblyBinding>
         <dependentAssembly>
**             <codeBase>**

<codeBase 
   version="Assembly version"
   href="URL of assembly"/>

Required Attributes

Attribute Description
version Specifies the version of the assembly the codebase applies to. The format of an assembly version number is major.minor.build.revision. Valid values for each part of the version number are 0 to 65535.
href Specifies the URL where the runtime can find the specified version of the assembly.

Remarks

For the runtime to use the <codeBase> setting in a machine configuration file or publisher policy file, the file must also redirect the assembly version. Application configuration files can have a codebase setting without redirecting the assembly version. After determining which assembly version to use, the runtime applies the codebase setting from the file that determines the version. If no codebase is indicated, the runtime probes for the assembly in the usual way.

If the assembly has a strong name, the codebase setting can be anywhere on the local intranet or the Internet. If the assembly is a private assembly, the codebase setting must be a path relative to the application's directory.

For assemblies without a strong name, version is ignored and the loader uses the first appearance of <codebase> inside <dependentAssembly>. If there is an entry in the application configuration file that redirects binding to another assembly, the redirection will take precedence even if the assembly version doesnt match the binding request.

Example

The following example shows how to specify where the runtime can find an assembly.

<configuration>
   <runtime>
      <assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">
         <dependentAssembly>
            <assemblyIdentity name="myAssembly"
                              publicKeyToken="32ab4ba45e0a69a1"
                              culture="neutral" />
            <codeBase version="2.0.0.0"
                      href="http://www.litwareinc.com/myAssembly.dll"/>
         </dependentAssembly>
      </assemblyBinding>
   </runtime>
</configuration>

Configuration File

This element can be used in the application configuration file, machine configuration file (machine.config), and the publisher policy file.

See Also

Runtime Settings Schema | Configuration File Schema | Specifying an Assembly's Location | How the Runtime Locates Assemblies