Implementing Plugin Architecture - Dynamic DLL loading

Question

I\'ve an application which is basically a designer with preloaded controls where you can design your pages using the controls.

I\'m planning to release more and more

Answer 1

The MEF or System.Addins routes mentioned are likely the most efficient way to go about this. I only pipe in to say a few things about the alternatives.

I have "hand rolled" this sort of solution a number of times and I would say that unless there is a compelling reason to do it from scratch it is better to use an existing addin framework. But if you are going to do so, I have found dependency injection containers like Castle or (insert your preferred DI container here) to be help handle some of the mechanics.

Also depending on exactly the sort of thing you are looking to do, the approach of embedding a macro language is potentially useful. Iron Python is easily embeddable. And Ayende wrote a very interesting book DSLs in Boo on doing this sort of thing and much more.