Why NETLOAD?

Discussion in 'AutoCAD' started by Frank Oquendo, Jul 31, 2004.

  1. Considering that you can't unload native .NET assemblies without creating
    your own mechanism, why bother with NETLOAD?

    Wouldn't it be easier to just add a COM wrapper to your primary class?
     
    Frank Oquendo, Jul 31, 2004
    #1
  2. Okay Frank, I had to read this three times before it sank in. If it where a
    true .NET approach/application, why would you need to unload it? That's
    where I'm confused. Does a JITed app not negate the need?

    I'm *really* curious and interested to understand better where you're
    coming from to make sure I'm not missing something here that'll come back
    to bite me in the butt one day!

    -- Mike
    ___________________________
    Mike Tuersley
    CADalyst's CAD Clinic
    Rand IMAGINiT Technologies
    ___________________________
    the trick is to realize that there is no spoon...
     
    Mike Tuersley, Aug 3, 2004
    #2
  3. ARX files can be unloaded when their functionality is not needed but
    ..NET assemblies cannot. That's kind of a waste if your app does not
    provide services intended to be used for the life of a session.

    I'm also a big fan of the COM server approach as any ActiveX-enabled
    client make use of the functionality offered by your assembly. That
    makes your assembly interoperable with VLISP and VBA.
     
    Frank Oquendo, Aug 3, 2004
    #3
  4. ARX files can be unloaded when their functionality is not needed but
    True, I never worried too much about it since almost everything I write is
    a client-specific solution that normally is intended for the life of the
    session because it integrates with their ERP, MRP, or doc mgmt system.
    That's one downside to being a doc mgmt expert =)

    Not to argue or get you going here, but isn't the example stated tainted
    because its based on ARX which is old school compared to .NET? Where I'm
    confused is if .NET is truly compiled "just In time" and the programmer
    does due diligence in cleaning up and disposing of the app properly, is
    there any waste in the .NET environment? Is this somehing that is baggage
    to pre-.NETers? Maybe a silly question, but I've been too busy to play
    around and look under the hood.
    Never dabbled with a COM server app yet. Don't suppose you have a simple
    example you could send my way? =)

    As always, its nice to talk shop with you Frank...hope all is well in your
    corner of the world!

    -- Mike
    ___________________________
    Mike Tuersley
    CADalyst's CAD Clinic
    Rand IMAGINiT Technologies
    ___________________________
    the trick is to realize that there is no spoon...
     
    Mike Tuersley, Aug 3, 2004
    #4
  5. ..NET is just another way of making use of the same API. In fact, the
    managed API is still just a subset of the full ARX API.
    That's all quite possible. I guess I'm just jittery about creating
    something that can't be unloaded with restarting AutoCAD. I've seen
    mention of a bootstrapper assembly with commands to load and unload an
    assembly. While that's workable, it still doesn't do anything to make
    your assembly usable in VB/A and VLISP.
    Actually, I've got an article or two on the subject cached from my web
    site (which will be back soon). I'll dig them up and forward them to
    you.
    Things are going well. Thanks for asking. :)
     
    Frank Oquendo, Aug 3, 2004
    #5
  6. .NET is just another way of making use of the same API. In fact, the
    Sorry, I was thinking in terms of what you/i/whoever writes, not from a
    "what were talking to" standpoint. =)
    Yeah, I can see you point here. Since you can add command line access with
    ..NET, I can't remember the last lisp routine I wrote. Sooner or later
    that'll change once a client comes along wanting that compatability =(
    Awesome! Better than code because you still need to get in the programmer's
    head to follow where he's going. TIA!

    -- Mike
    ___________________________
    Mike Tuersley
    CADalyst's CAD Clinic
    Rand IMAGINiT Technologies
    ___________________________
    the trick is to realize that there is no spoon...
     
    Mike Tuersley, Aug 3, 2004
    #6
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