EXE and a DLL

Question

Hi What is the difference between an EXE and a DLL. What is difference between strong-typing and weak-typing ?

Satyapriya Nayak · Answer

Hi Arun, 1.EXE is an extension used for executable files while DLL is the extension for a dynamic link library. 2.An EXE file can be run independently while a DLL is used by other applications. 3.A DLL file can be reused by other applications while an EXE cannot. 4.Exe is for single use whereas you can use Dll for multiple use 5.Dll is an In-Process Component whereas EXE is an OUt-Process Component. 6.You can create an objects of Dll but not of the EXE. Thanks

Vulpes · Answer

In the context of .NET, an .exe is an executable application, whereas a .dll is a class library for use by other applications or libraries. Technically, they are both types of 'assembly' which is a special kind of 'Windows Portable Executable' file that contains intermediate language and metadata rather than native code. An .exe must have an entry point i.e. a Main() method which is where execution begins. A .dll does not need an entry point and, if it does have a Main() method, this is just treated as if it were an ordinary method. Strong typing means that the precise type of a variable or expression must be ascertainable at compile time which enables restrictions to be imposed on how operations involving values of different types may be safely performed. The advantage is that the compiler can pick up errors which would not otherwise manifest themselves until runtime. The disadvantage is longer development time. In contrast, weak typing means that the type of a variable or expression does not need to be ascertainable at compile time (and consequently there are fewer restrictions on mixed type operations) but is instead determined dynamically at runtime. The advantage is faster development time. The disadvantage is that more testing is needed and execution time tends to be slower.