Scripting with external assemblies is the preferred way to use scripting in Microsoft® BizTalk Server 2006. External assemblies provide the several advantages:

• Easy code sharing
  
  
• Simpler maintenance
  
  
• Easier debugging
  
  

Re-using the script only requires setting the Script property of the Scripting functoid. Because the script is stored outside of the map, you can modify the script without changing the map. And you can use the full array of Visual Studio 2005 debugging tools to ensure your script runs correctly.

Warning
The code in the external assembly must be thread-safe. Under stress conditions, multiple instances of a map may be running concurrently.

For a sample function housed in an external assembly, see XML Tools (BizTalk Server Samples Folder).