Unable to add dll created in visual studio 2005 as reference

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Hi,

I have created a C# dll(Class library application) in visual studio 2005.I need to add this dll in one of my project which is created in visual studio 2003 as reference.But it is showing the error

 "A reference to 'xxxx.dll' could not be added. This is not a valid assembly or COM component.  Only assemblies with extension 'dll' and COM components can be referenced.  Please make sure that the file is accessible, and that it is a valid assembly or COM component."

Please help me

Thanks in advance

Posted 26-Jul-11 20:41pm

kutz 2

Updated 26-Jul-11 20:43pm

Prerak Patel

v2

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chemark 28-Jul-11 3:25am

You can find usefull information here:

Unable to reference Class Library DLL [developed in VS 2005] in VS 2003

3 solutions

Solution 2

2005 assembly is created in new version,where as 2003 is old version so its not possible to add reference of VS 2005 dll to VS 2003 Similarly,VS 2008 dll cant add to VS 2005 project

Posted 26-Jul-11 20:55pm

Syed Salman Raza Zaidi

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kutz 2 27-Jul-11 2:58am

Ok thanks

Solution 3

Storing your past solution in executable (compiled assembly) form makes no sense anyway. If you developed the library, you do have its source code. Add your source code to your solution and migrate it to the version of Visual Studio and project file you're using; so both projects will be in the same solution.

Add reference as a project, not as an executable module ("Projects", not "Browse" in References window).

—SA

Posted 27-Jul-11 20:22pm

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov

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OriginalGriff · Accepted Answer · 2011-07-26T20:47:00

Solution 1

You can't add later assemblies to an earlier version - it's like trying to open a Office 2012 document in Office 98: It doesn't know the format and can't cope.

Your options are:
1) Rebuild the DLL in VS 2003
2) Move the 2003 project to VS2005 (or better, 2008 or even 2010)

Posted 26-Jul-11 20:47pm

OriginalGriff

Comments

kutz 2 27-Jul-11 2:58am

Ok thanks

Toniyo Jackson 27-Jul-11 3:04am

Correct. +5