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.NET Framework 3.5
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This page is specific to
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008/.NET Framework 3.5

Other versions are also available for the following:
.NET Framework Class Library
AssemblyBuilder Class

Defines and represents a dynamic assembly.

Namespace:  System.Reflection.Emit
Assembly:  mscorlib (in mscorlib.dll)
Visual Basic (Declaration)
<ComVisibleAttribute(True)> _
<ClassInterfaceAttribute(ClassInterfaceType.None)> _
<HostProtectionAttribute(SecurityAction.LinkDemand, MayLeakOnAbort := True)> _
Public NotInheritable Class AssemblyBuilder _
    Inherits Assembly _
    Implements _AssemblyBuilder
Visual Basic (Usage)
Dim instance As AssemblyBuilder
C#
[ComVisibleAttribute(true)]
[ClassInterfaceAttribute(ClassInterfaceType.None)]
[HostProtectionAttribute(SecurityAction.LinkDemand, MayLeakOnAbort = true)]
public sealed class AssemblyBuilder : Assembly, 
    _AssemblyBuilder
Visual C++
[ComVisibleAttribute(true)]
[ClassInterfaceAttribute(ClassInterfaceType::None)]
[HostProtectionAttribute(SecurityAction::LinkDemand, MayLeakOnAbort = true)]
public ref class AssemblyBuilder sealed : public Assembly, 
    _AssemblyBuilder
JScript
public final class AssemblyBuilder extends Assembly implements _AssemblyBuilder
NoteNote:

The HostProtectionAttribute attribute applied to this type or member has the following Resources property value: MayLeakOnAbort. The HostProtectionAttribute does not affect desktop applications (which are typically started by double-clicking an icon, typing a command, or entering a URL in a browser). For more information, see the HostProtectionAttribute class or SQL Server Programming and Host Protection Attributes.

A dynamic assembly is an assembly that is created using the Reflection Emit APIs. The dynamic modules in the assembly are saved when the dynamic assembly is saved using the Save method. To generate an executable, the SetEntryPoint method must be called to identify the method that is the entry point to the assembly. Assemblies are saved as DLL by default, unless SetEntryPoint requests the generation of a console application or a Windows-based application.

If a dynamic assembly contains more than one dynamic module, the assembly's manifest file name should match the module's name that is specified as the first argument to DefineDynamicModule.

Some methods on the base class Assembly such as GetModules and GetLoadedModules will not work correctly when called AssemblyBuilder objects. You can load the defined dynamic assembly and call the methods on the loaded assembly. For example, to ensure that resource modules are included in the returned module list, call GetModules on the loaded Assembly object.

The signing of a dynamic assembly using KeyPair is not effective until the assembly is saved to disk. So, strong names will not work with transient dynamic assemblies.

To get an AssemblyBuilder object, use the AppDomain..::.DefineDynamicAssembly method.

The following code example shows how to define a dynamic assembly with one module. The module in the example assembly contains one type, MyDynamicType, which has a private field, a property that gets and sets the private field, constructors that initialize the private field, and a method that multiplies a user-supplied number by the private field value and returns the result.

AssemblyBuilderAccess..::.RunAndSave is specified when the assembly is created. The assembly code is used immediately, and the assembly is also saved to disk so that it can be examined with MSIL Disassembler (Ildasm.exe) or used in another program.

Visual Basic
Imports System
Imports System.Reflection
Imports System.Reflection.Emit

Class DemoAssemblyBuilder

    Public Shared Sub Main()

        ' An assembly consists of one or more modules, each of which
        ' contains zero or more types. This code creates a single-module
        ' assembly, the most common case. The module contains one type,
        ' named "MyDynamicType", that has a private field, a property 
        ' that gets and sets the private field, constructors that 
        ' initialize the private field, and a method that multiplies
        ' a user-supplied number by the private field value and returns 
        ' the result. The code might look like this in Visual Basic:
        '
        'Public Class MyDynamicType
        '    Private m_number As Integer
        '
        '    Public Sub New()
        '        Me.New(42)
        '    End Sub
        '
        '    Public Sub New(ByVal initNumber As Integer)
        '        m_number = initNumber
        '    End Sub
        '
        '    Public Property Number As Integer
        '        Get
        '            Return m_number
        '        End Get
        '        Set
        '            m_Number = Value
        '        End Set
        '    End Property
        '
        '    Public Function MyMethod(ByVal multiplier As Integer) As Integer
        '        Return m_Number * multiplier
        '    End Function
        'End Class

        Dim aName As New AssemblyName("DynamicAssemblyExample")
        Dim ab As AssemblyBuilder = _
            AppDomain.CurrentDomain.DefineDynamicAssembly( _
                aName, _
                AssemblyBuilderAccess.RunAndSave)

        ' For a single-module assembly, the module name is usually
        ' the assembly name plus an extension.
        Dim mb As ModuleBuilder = ab.DefineDynamicModule( _
            aName.Name, _
            aName.Name & ".dll")

        Dim tb As TypeBuilder = _
            mb.DefineType("MyDynamicType", TypeAttributes.Public)

        ' Add a private field of type Integer (Int32).
        Dim fbNumber As FieldBuilder = tb.DefineField( _
            "m_number", _
            GetType(Integer), _
            FieldAttributes.Private)

        ' Define a constructor that takes an integer argument and 
        ' stores it in the private field. 
        Dim parameterTypes() As Type = { GetType(Integer) }
        Dim ctor1 As ConstructorBuilder = _
            tb.DefineConstructor( _
                MethodAttributes.Public, _
                CallingConventions.Standard, _
                parameterTypes)

        Dim ctor1IL As ILGenerator = ctor1.GetILGenerator()
        ' For a constructor, argument zero is a reference to the new
        ' instance. Push it on the stack before calling the base
        ' class constructor. Specify the default constructor of the 
        ' base class (System.Object) by passing an empty array of 
        ' types (Type.EmptyTypes) to GetConstructor.
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0)
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Call, _
            GetType(Object).GetConstructor(Type.EmptyTypes))
        ' Push the instance on the stack before pushing the argument
        ' that is to be assigned to the private field m_number.
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0)
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_1)
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Stfld, fbNumber)
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ret)

        ' Define a default constructor that supplies a default value
        ' for the private field. For parameter types, pass the empty
        ' array of types or pass Nothing.
        Dim ctor0 As ConstructorBuilder = tb.DefineConstructor( _
            MethodAttributes.Public, _
            CallingConventions.Standard, _
            Type.EmptyTypes)

        Dim ctor0IL As ILGenerator = ctor0.GetILGenerator()
        ' For a constructor, argument zero is a reference to the new
        ' instance. Push it on the stack before pushing the default
        ' value on the stack, then call constructor ctor1.
        ctor0IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0)
        ctor0IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldc_I4_S, 42)
        ctor0IL.Emit(OpCodes.Call, ctor1)
        ctor0IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ret)

        ' Define a property named Number that gets and sets the private 
        ' field.
        '
        ' The last argument of DefineProperty is Nothing, because the
        ' property has no parameters. (If you don't specify Nothing, you must
        ' specify an array of Type objects. For a parameterless property,
        ' use the built-in array with no elements: Type.EmptyTypes)
        Dim pbNumber As PropertyBuilder = tb.DefineProperty( _
            "Number", _
            PropertyAttributes.HasDefault, _
            GetType(Integer), _
            Nothing)

        ' The property Set and property Get methods require a special
        ' set of attributes.
        Dim getSetAttr As MethodAttributes = _
            MethodAttributes.Public Or MethodAttributes.SpecialName _
                Or MethodAttributes.HideBySig

        ' Define the "get" accessor method for Number. The method returns
        ' an integer and has no arguments. (Note that Nothing could be 
        ' used instead of Types.EmptyTypes)
        Dim mbNumberGetAccessor As MethodBuilder = tb.DefineMethod( _
            "get_Number", _
            getSetAttr, _
            GetType(Integer), _
            Type.EmptyTypes)

        Dim numberGetIL As ILGenerator = mbNumberGetAccessor.GetILGenerator()
        ' For an instance property, argument zero is the instance. Load the 
        ' instance, then load the private field and return, leaving the
        ' field value on the stack.
        numberGetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0)
        numberGetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldfld, fbNumber)
        numberGetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ret)

        ' Define the "set" accessor method for Number, which has no return
        ' type and takes one argument of type Integer (Int32).
        Dim mbNumberSetAccessor As MethodBuilder = _
            tb.DefineMethod( _
                "set_Number", _
                getSetAttr, _
                Nothing, _
                New Type() { GetType(Integer) })

        Dim numberSetIL As ILGenerator = mbNumberSetAccessor.GetILGenerator()
        ' Load the instance and then the numeric argument, then store the
        ' argument in the field.
        numberSetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0)
        numberSetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_1)
        numberSetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Stfld, fbNumber)
        numberSetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ret)

        ' Last, map the "get" and "set" accessor methods to the 
        ' PropertyBuilder. The property is now complete. 
        pbNumber.SetGetMethod(mbNumberGetAccessor)
        pbNumber.SetSetMethod(mbNumberSetAccessor)

        ' Define a method that accepts an integer argument and returns
        ' the product of that integer and the private field m_number. This
        ' time, the array of parameter types is created on the fly.
        Dim meth As MethodBuilder = tb.DefineMethod( _
            "MyMethod", _
            MethodAttributes.Public, _
            GetType(Integer), _
            New Type() { GetType(Integer) })

        Dim methIL As ILGenerator = meth.GetILGenerator()
        ' To retrieve the private instance field, load the instance it
        ' belongs to (argument zero). After loading the field, load the 
        ' argument one and then multiply. Return from the method with 
        ' the return value (the product of the two numbers) on the 
        ' execution stack.
        methIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0)
        methIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldfld, fbNumber)
        methIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_1)
        methIL.Emit(OpCodes.Mul)
        methIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ret)

        ' Finish the type.
        Dim t As Type = tb.CreateType()

        ' The following line saves the single-module assembly. This
        ' requires AssemblyBuilderAccess to include Save. You can now
        ' type "ildasm MyDynamicAsm.dll" at the command prompt, and 
        ' examine the assembly. You can also write a program that has
        ' a reference to the assembly, and use the MyDynamicType type.
        ' 
        ab.Save(aName.Name & ".dll") 

        ' Because AssemblyBuilderAccess includes Run, the code can be
        ' executed immediately. Start by getting reflection objects for
        ' the method and the property.
        Dim mi As MethodInfo = t.GetMethod("MyMethod")
        Dim pi As PropertyInfo = t.GetProperty("Number")

        ' Create an instance of MyDynamicType using the default 
        ' constructor. 
        Dim o1 As Object = Activator.CreateInstance(t)

        ' Display the value of the property, then change it to 127 and 
        ' display it again. Use Nothing to indicate that the property
        ' has no index.
        Console.WriteLine("o1.Number: {0}", pi.GetValue(o1, Nothing))
        pi.SetValue(o1, 127, Nothing)
        Console.WriteLine("o1.Number: {0}", pi.GetValue(o1, Nothing))

        ' Call MyMethod, passing 22, and display the return value, 22
        ' times 127. Arguments must be passed as an array, even when
        ' there is only one.
        Dim arguments() As Object = { 22 }
        Console.WriteLine("o1.MyMethod(22): {0}", _
            mi.Invoke(o1, arguments))

        ' Create an instance of MyDynamicType using the constructor
        ' that specifies m_Number. The constructor is identified by
        ' matching the types in the argument array. In this case, 
        ' the argument array is created on the fly. Display the 
        ' property value.
        Dim o2 As Object = Activator.CreateInstance(t, _
            New Object() { 5280 })
        Console.WriteLine("o2.Number: {0}", pi.GetValue(o2, Nothing))

    End Sub  
End Class

' This code produces the following output:
'
'o1.Number: 42
'o1.Number: 127
'o1.MyMethod(22): 2794
'o2.Number: 5280
C#
using System;
using System.Reflection;
using System.Reflection.Emit;

class DemoAssemblyBuilder
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        // An assembly consists of one or more modules, each of which
        // contains zero or more types. This code creates a single-module
        // assembly, the most common case. The module contains one type,
        // named "MyDynamicType", that has a private field, a property 
        // that gets and sets the private field, constructors that 
        // initialize the private field, and a method that multiplies 
        // a user-supplied number by the private field value and returns
        // the result. In C# the type might look like this:
        /*
        public class MyDynamicType
        {
            private int m_number;

            public MyDynamicType() : this(42) {}
            public MyDynamicType(int initNumber)
            {
                m_number = initNumber;
            }

            public int Number
            {
                get { return m_number; }
                set { m_number = value; }
            }

            public int MyMethod(int multiplier)
            {
                return m_number * multiplier;
            }
        }
        */

        AssemblyName aName = new AssemblyName("DynamicAssemblyExample");
        AssemblyBuilder ab = 
            AppDomain.CurrentDomain.DefineDynamicAssembly(
                aName, 
                AssemblyBuilderAccess.RunAndSave);

        // For a single-module assembly, the module name is usually
        // the assembly name plus an extension.
        ModuleBuilder mb = 
            ab.DefineDynamicModule(aName.Name, aName.Name + ".dll");

        TypeBuilder tb = mb.DefineType(
            "MyDynamicType", 
             TypeAttributes.Public);

        // Add a private field of type int (Int32).
        FieldBuilder fbNumber = tb.DefineField(
            "m_number", 
            typeof(int), 
            FieldAttributes.Private);

        // Define a constructor that takes an integer argument and 
        // stores it in the private field. 
        Type[] parameterTypes = { typeof(int) };
        ConstructorBuilder ctor1 = tb.DefineConstructor(
            MethodAttributes.Public, 
            CallingConventions.Standard, 
            parameterTypes);

        ILGenerator ctor1IL = ctor1.GetILGenerator();
        // For a constructor, argument zero is a reference to the new
        // instance. Push it on the stack before calling the base
        // class constructor. Specify the default constructor of the 
        // base class (System.Object) by passing an empty array of 
        // types (Type.EmptyTypes) to GetConstructor.
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0);
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Call, 
            typeof(object).GetConstructor(Type.EmptyTypes));
        // Push the instance on the stack before pushing the argument
        // that is to be assigned to the private field m_number.
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0);
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_1);
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Stfld, fbNumber);
        ctor1IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ret);

        // Define a default constructor that supplies a default value
        // for the private field. For parameter types, pass the empty
        // array of types or pass null.
        ConstructorBuilder ctor0 = tb.DefineConstructor(
            MethodAttributes.Public, 
            CallingConventions.Standard, 
            Type.EmptyTypes);

        ILGenerator ctor0IL = ctor0.GetILGenerator();
        // For a constructor, argument zero is a reference to the new
        // instance. Push it on the stack before pushing the default
        // value on the stack, then call constructor ctor1.
        ctor0IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0);
        ctor0IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldc_I4_S, 42);
        ctor0IL.Emit(OpCodes.Call, ctor1);
        ctor0IL.Emit(OpCodes.Ret);

        // Define a property named Number that gets and sets the private 
        // field.
        //
        // The last argument of DefineProperty is null, because the
        // property has no parameters. (If you don't specify null, you must
        // specify an array of Type objects. For a parameterless property,
        // use the built-in array with no elements: Type.EmptyTypes)
        PropertyBuilder pbNumber = tb.DefineProperty(
            "Number", 
            PropertyAttributes.HasDefault, 
            typeof(int), 
            null);

        // The property "set" and property "get" methods require a special
        // set of attributes.
        MethodAttributes getSetAttr = MethodAttributes.Public | 
            MethodAttributes.SpecialName | MethodAttributes.HideBySig;

        // Define the "get" accessor method for Number. The method returns
        // an integer and has no arguments. (Note that null could be 
        // used instead of Types.EmptyTypes)
        MethodBuilder mbNumberGetAccessor = tb.DefineMethod(
            "get_Number", 
            getSetAttr, 
            typeof(int), 
            Type.EmptyTypes);

        ILGenerator numberGetIL = mbNumberGetAccessor.GetILGenerator();
        // For an instance property, argument zero is the instance. Load the 
        // instance, then load the private field and return, leaving the
        // field value on the stack.
        numberGetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0);
        numberGetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldfld, fbNumber);
        numberGetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ret);

        // Define the "set" accessor method for Number, which has no return
        // type and takes one argument of type int (Int32).
        MethodBuilder mbNumberSetAccessor = tb.DefineMethod(
            "set_Number", 
            getSetAttr, 
            null, 
            new Type[] { typeof(int) });

        ILGenerator numberSetIL = mbNumberSetAccessor.GetILGenerator();
        // Load the instance and then the numeric argument, then store the
        // argument in the field.
        numberSetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0);
        numberSetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_1);
        numberSetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Stfld, fbNumber);
        numberSetIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ret);

        // Last, map the "get" and "set" accessor methods to the 
        // PropertyBuilder. The property is now complete. 
        pbNumber.SetGetMethod(mbNumberGetAccessor);
        pbNumber.SetSetMethod(mbNumberSetAccessor);

        // Define a method that accepts an integer argument and returns
        // the product of that integer and the private field m_number. This
        // time, the array of parameter types is created on the fly.
        MethodBuilder meth = tb.DefineMethod(
            "MyMethod", 
            MethodAttributes.Public, 
            typeof(int), 
            new Type[] { typeof(int) });

        ILGenerator methIL = meth.GetILGenerator();
        // To retrieve the private instance field, load the instance it
        // belongs to (argument zero). After loading the field, load the 
        // argument one and then multiply. Return from the method with 
        // the return value (the product of the two numbers) on the 
        // execution stack.
        methIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_0);
        methIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldfld, fbNumber);
        methIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ldarg_1);
        methIL.Emit(OpCodes.Mul);
        methIL.Emit(OpCodes.Ret);

        // Finish the type.
        Type t = tb.CreateType();

        // The following line saves the single-module assembly. This
        // requires AssemblyBuilderAccess to include Save. You can now
        // type "ildasm MyDynamicAsm.dll" at the command prompt, and 
        // examine the assembly. You can also write a program that has
        // a reference to the assembly, and use the MyDynamicType type.
        // 
        ab.Save(aName.Name + ".dll");

        // Because AssemblyBuilderAccess includes Run, the code can be
        // executed immediately. Start by getting reflection objects for
        // the method and the property.
        MethodInfo mi = t.GetMethod("MyMethod");
        PropertyInfo pi = t.GetProperty("Number");

        // Create an instance of MyDynamicType using the default 
        // constructor. 
        object o1 = Activator.CreateInstance(t);

        // Display the value of the property, then change it to 127 and 
        // display it again. Use null to indicate that the property
        // has no index.
        Console.WriteLine("o1.Number: {0}", pi.GetValue(o1, null));
        pi.SetValue(o1, 127, null);
        Console.WriteLine("o1.Number: {0}", pi.GetValue(o1, null));

        // Call MyMethod, passing 22, and display the return value, 22
        // times 127. Arguments must be passed as an array, even when
        // there is only one.
        object[] arguments = { 22 };
        Console.WriteLine("o1.MyMethod(22): {0}", 
            mi.Invoke(o1, arguments));

        // Create an instance of MyDynamicType using the constructor
        // that specifies m_Number. The constructor is identified by
        // matching the types in the argument array. In this case, 
        // the argument array is created on the fly. Display the 
        // property value.
        object o2 = Activator.CreateInstance(t, 
            new object[] { 5280 });
        Console.WriteLine("o2.Number: {0}", pi.GetValue(o2, null));
    }
}

/* This code produces the following output:

o1.Number: 42
o1.Number: 127
o1.MyMethod(22): 2794
o2.Number: 5280
 */
Visual C++
using namespace System;
using namespace System::Reflection;
using namespace System::Reflection::Emit;

void main()
{
    // An assembly consists of one or more modules, each of which
    // contains zero or more types. This code creates a single-module
    // assembly, the most common case. The module contains one type,
    // named "MyDynamicType", that has a private field, a property 
    // that gets and sets the private field, constructors that 
    // initialize the private field, and a method that multiplies 
    // a user-supplied number by the private field value and returns
    // the result. In Visual C++ the type might look like this:
    /*
      public ref class MyDynamicType
      {
      private:
          int m_number;

      public:
          MyDynamicType() : m_number(42) {};
          MyDynamicType(int initNumber) : m_number(initNumber) {};

          property int Number
          {
              int get() { return m_number; }
              void set(int value) { m_number = value; }
          }

          int MyMethod(int multiplier)
          {
              return m_number * multiplier;
          }
      };
    */

    AssemblyName^ aName = gcnew AssemblyName("DynamicAssemblyExample");
    AssemblyBuilder^ ab = 
        AppDomain::CurrentDomain->DefineDynamicAssembly(
            aName, 
            AssemblyBuilderAccess::RunAndSave);

    // For a single-module assembly, the module name is usually
    // the assembly name plus an extension.
    ModuleBuilder^ mb = 
        ab->DefineDynamicModule(aName->Name, aName->Name + ".dll");

    TypeBuilder^ tb = mb->DefineType(
        "MyDynamicType", 
         TypeAttributes::Public);

    // Add a private field of type int (Int32).
    FieldBuilder^ fbNumber = tb->DefineField(
        "m_number", 
        int::typeid, 
        FieldAttributes::Private);

    // Define a constructor that takes an integer argument and 
    // stores it in the private field. 
    array<Type^>^ parameterTypes = { int::typeid };
    ConstructorBuilder^ ctor1 = tb->DefineConstructor(
        MethodAttributes::Public, 
        CallingConventions::Standard, 
        parameterTypes);

    ILGenerator^ ctor1IL = ctor1->GetILGenerator();
    // For a constructor, argument zero is a reference to the new
    // instance. Push it on the stack before calling the base
    // class constructor. Specify the default constructor of the 
    // base class (System::Object) by passing an empty array of 
    // types (Type::EmptyTypes) to GetConstructor.
    ctor1IL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldarg_0);
    ctor1IL->Emit(OpCodes::Call, 
        Object::typeid->GetConstructor(Type::EmptyTypes));
    // Push the instance on the stack before pushing the argument
    // that is to be assigned to the private field m_number.
    ctor1IL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldarg_0);
    ctor1IL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldarg_1);
    ctor1IL->Emit(OpCodes::Stfld, fbNumber);
    ctor1IL->Emit(OpCodes::Ret);

    // Define a default constructor that supplies a default value
    // for the private field. For parameter types, pass the empty
    // array of types or pass nullptr.
    ConstructorBuilder^ ctor0 = tb->DefineConstructor(
        MethodAttributes::Public, 
        CallingConventions::Standard, 
        Type::EmptyTypes);

    ILGenerator^ ctor0IL = ctor0->GetILGenerator();
    ctor0IL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldarg_0);
    ctor0IL->Emit(OpCodes::Call, 
        Object::typeid->GetConstructor(Type::EmptyTypes));
    // For a constructor, argument zero is a reference to the new
    // instance. Push it on the stack before pushing the default
    // value on the stack.
    ctor0IL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldarg_0);
    ctor0IL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldc_I4_S, 42);
    ctor0IL->Emit(OpCodes::Stfld, fbNumber);
    ctor0IL->Emit(OpCodes::Ret);

    // Define a property named Number that gets and sets the private 
    // field.
    //
    // The last argument of DefineProperty is nullptr, because the
    // property has no parameters. (If you don't specify nullptr, you must
    // specify an array of Type objects. For a parameterless property,
    // use the built-in array with no elements: Type::EmptyTypes)
    PropertyBuilder^ pbNumber = tb->DefineProperty(
        "Number", 
        PropertyAttributes::HasDefault, 
        int::typeid, 
        nullptr);

    // The property "set" and property "get" methods require a special
    // set of attributes.
    MethodAttributes getSetAttr = MethodAttributes::Public | 
        MethodAttributes::SpecialName | MethodAttributes::HideBySig;

    // Define the "get" accessor method for Number. The method returns
    // an integer and has no arguments. (Note that nullptr could be 
    // used instead of Types::EmptyTypes)
    MethodBuilder^ mbNumberGetAccessor = tb->DefineMethod(
        "get_Number", 
        getSetAttr, 
        int::typeid, 
        Type::EmptyTypes);

    ILGenerator^ numberGetIL = mbNumberGetAccessor->GetILGenerator();
    // For an instance property, argument zero is the instance. Load the 
    // instance, then load the private field and return, leaving the
    // field value on the stack.
    numberGetIL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldarg_0);
    numberGetIL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldfld, fbNumber);
    numberGetIL->Emit(OpCodes::Ret);

    // Define the "set" accessor method for Number, which has no return
    // type and takes one argument of type int (Int32).
    MethodBuilder^ mbNumberSetAccessor = tb->DefineMethod(
        "set_Number", 
        getSetAttr, 
        nullptr, 
        gcnew array<Type^> { int::typeid });

    ILGenerator^ numberSetIL = mbNumberSetAccessor->GetILGenerator();
    // Load the instance and then the numeric argument, then store the
    // argument in the field.
    numberSetIL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldarg_0);
    numberSetIL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldarg_1);
    numberSetIL->Emit(OpCodes::Stfld, fbNumber);
    numberSetIL->Emit(OpCodes::Ret);

    // Last, map the "get" and "set" accessor methods to the 
    // PropertyBuilder. The property is now complete. 
    pbNumber->SetGetMethod(mbNumberGetAccessor);
    pbNumber->SetSetMethod(mbNumberSetAccessor);

    // Define a method that accepts an integer argument and returns
    // the product of that integer and the private field m_number. This
    // time, the array of parameter types is created on the fly.
    MethodBuilder^ meth = tb->DefineMethod(
        "MyMethod", 
        MethodAttributes::Public, 
        int::typeid, 
        gcnew array<Type^> { int::typeid });

    ILGenerator^ methIL = meth->GetILGenerator();
    // To retrieve the private instance field, load the instance it
    // belongs to (argument zero). After loading the field, load the 
    // argument one and then multiply. Return from the method with 
    // the return value (the product of the two numbers) on the 
    // execution stack.
    methIL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldarg_0);
    methIL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldfld, fbNumber);
    methIL->Emit(OpCodes::Ldarg_1);
    methIL->Emit(OpCodes::Mul);
    methIL->Emit(OpCodes::Ret);

    // Finish the type->
    Type^ t = tb->CreateType();

    // The following line saves the single-module assembly. This
    // requires AssemblyBuilderAccess to include Save. You can now
    // type "ildasm MyDynamicAsm.dll" at the command prompt, and 
    // examine the assembly. You can also write a program that has
    // a reference to the assembly, and use the MyDynamicType type.
    // 
    ab->Save(aName->Name + ".dll");

    // Because AssemblyBuilderAccess includes Run, the code can be
    // executed immediately. Start by getting reflection objects for
    // the method and the property.
    MethodInfo^ mi = t->GetMethod("MyMethod");
    PropertyInfo^ pi = t->GetProperty("Number");

    // Create an instance of MyDynamicType using the default 
    // constructor. 
    Object^ o1 = Activator::CreateInstance(t);

    // Display the value of the property, then change it to 127 and 
    // display it again. Use nullptr to indicate that the property
    // has no index.
    Console::WriteLine("o1->Number: {0}", pi->GetValue(o1, nullptr));
    pi->SetValue(o1, 127, nullptr);
    Console::WriteLine("o1->Number: {0}", pi->GetValue(o1, nullptr));

    // Call MyMethod, passing 22, and display the return value, 22
    // times 127. Arguments must be passed as an array, even when
    // there is only one.
    array<Object^>^ arguments = { 22 };
    Console::WriteLine("o1->MyMethod(22): {0}", 
        mi->Invoke(o1, arguments));

    // Create an instance of MyDynamicType using the constructor
    // that specifies m_Number. The constructor is identified by
    // matching the types in the argument array. In this case, 
    // the argument array is created on the fly. Display the 
    // property value.
    Object^ o2 = Activator::CreateInstance(t, 
        gcnew array<Object^> { 5280 });
    Console::WriteLine("o2->Number: {0}", pi->GetValue(o2, nullptr));
};

/* This code produces the following output:

o1->Number: 42
o1->Number: 127
o1->MyMethod(22): 2794
o2->Number: 5280
 */
System..::.Object
  System.Reflection..::.Assembly
    System.Reflection.Emit..::.AssemblyBuilder
Any public static (Shared in Visual Basic) members of this type are thread safe. Any instance members are not guaranteed to be thread safe.

Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP SP2, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows XP Starter Edition, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2000 SP4, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 98

The .NET Framework and .NET Compact Framework do not support all versions of every platform. For a list of the supported versions, see .NET Framework System Requirements.

.NET Framework

Supported in: 3.5, 3.0, 2.0, 1.1, 1.0
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