Section 17.1. PE Files

17.1. PE Files

On disk, assemblies are Portable Executable (PE) files. PE files aren't new. The format of a .NET PE file is exactly the same as a normal Windows PE file. PE files are implemented as DLLs or EXEs.

Physically, assemblies consist of one or more modules . Modules are the constituent pieces of assemblies. Standing alone, modules can't be executed; they must be combined into assemblies to be useful.

You will deploy and reuse the entire contents of an assembly as a unit. Assemblies are loaded on demand, and will not be loaded if not needed.