ILMerge

The ILMerge program, in its latest version 2.11.1103, is a versatile utility developed by Microsoft designed for merging multiple .NET assemblies into a single assembly. This tool takes a collection of input assemblies and combines them into one target assembly, with the first assembly in the list acting as the primary assembly. When this primary assembly is an executable, the resultant assembly retains the same entry point.

One of the major functionalities is that if the primary assembly has a strong name, the target assembly can be re-signed with a specified key so it too has a strong name, assuming a .snk file is provided. This utility is packaged primarily as a console application, although its functions are accessible programmatically as well.

The program files available include ildasm.exe, ILMerge.exe, and ILMergeGUI_Portable.exe, allowing for a range of usage scenarios from command-line operations to more GUI-friendly interfaces.

This reliable utility falls under the Development Tools category, specifically within the IDE subcategory, making it a valuable asset for developers looking to streamline their assembly management in .NET projects.

Supported on Windows 7, ILMerge ensures compatibility with a widely-used OS. For those who require earlier versions, 2.9, and 2.1 are also accessible, providing flexibility in version selection.

One of the standout benefits of ILMerge is its accessibility. Being able to download it easily and the fact that it is free makes it a convenient choice for developers needing this functionality without additional costs.

Pros:

• Free to download
• Developed by a trusted entity, Microsoft
• Multiple versions available for compatibility
• Useful for merging .NET assemblies programmatically or via a console

Cons:

• Limited to Windows 7 support
• Primarily a console application, which might be less user-friendly for non-technical users

In conclusion, ILMerge is a robust, free utility that offers significant functionality for combining multiple .NET assemblies, making it a valuable tool for developers using Windows 7 and requiring streamlined assembly management.

It is not possible to confirm if there is a free download for this software available on the developer's website. According to the results of the Google Safe Browsing check, the developer's site is safe. Despite this, we recommend checking the downloaded files with any free antivirus software.

You may want to check out more software, such as ILMergeGui or IL Merger Tool, which might be related to ILMerge.