Difference between DLL and EXE

Posted by Raja PRS in .NET Framework category on 12/26/2015 for Beginner level | Points: 250 | Views : 3213

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In this article, we shall learn basic difference between DLL and EXE.

DLL

A Dll is a Dynamic Link Library can not run itself, used as a supportive file to other application.
The Library Functions are Linked to the Application at Run Time (Dynamically) So the name is Dll.
A Dll does not contain an entry point (main function) so can not run individually.

EXE

An Exe is executable file and is not a supportive file rather itself an application.
An Exe will contain an entry point (main function) so runs individually.

SNO	DLL	EXE
1	Can not run Individually	Runs Individually
2	Used as supportive file for other Application	Itself an Application
3	Does not contain an entry point (no main function) so can not run individually	Contains an entry point (Main function) so can run individually
4	A Program /Application with out main creates a DLL after compilation.	A Program /Application With main creates an EXE after compilation.
5	OS does not create a separate process for any DLL rather DLL will run in the same process created for an EXE	OS Creates a separate process for each EXE it executes.

Note: Creating a process is an overhead to the operating system so DLL does not contain main function to reduce the burden on the OS.

This is my first article in dotnetfunda.