DLL output file naming convension

Hello everyone,


Previously, I think if I am using namespace ns1, and declaring and defining a public class cs1 using C# Class Library project, I have to name the output DLL name to be ns1.dll. I have this idea because I noticed that Microsoft names the DLLs, like System.dll for name space System, System.Data.dll for name space System.Data.

Now I tried that I can name the output DLL name to arbitrary name (not ns1), like mylib.dll. Then the applications which use the DLL still work.

So, I think the conclusion should be, we can use arbitrary name which is not related to namespace. Right?


thanks in advance,
George

You can name it whatever you want. Microsoft's naming is just a convenience to (quickly) know what is in each dll.

Yes, there's absolutely no connection between the name of the DLL and it's content. If you want to call a DLL fred.dll or kernel32.dll or hagfifgajggaduteauryejhjs.dll, that's entirely up to you - but it's probably hard to remember the third one, and the second might get a bit confusing to which kernel32.dll that you wish to use - the one supplied by MS or your own.

Obviously, if there's a good way to associate your DLL with what it does, then that's a bonus in most peoples mind. If you have a DLL that implements encryption/decryption, then calling it "crypt.dll" might be a good idea. If the namespace of a class is meaningfull as the name of a DLL, then that's one possible good name.

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Mats