Rob Mensching will love this one. Work has decided that they want me to “patch” an assembly in the GAC. But get this. The assembly is a different build, BUT it’s the SAME version as the one currently installed on the target system.

The reasoning?

“We don’t want to break any of the other files that are dependent on it by changing the version.”

Uh *smack* change the version and GAC it and the originals will still work properly, they just won’t access the new assembly.

“We want the other files to have access to the fixes in this new assembly.”

Uh *smack* recompile the apps dependent on this new assembly and deliver those.

“We don’t want to. Look, can’t you just FORCE the installer to install the same assembly again? Why does MSI not let us?”

Uh *kick* - my hand started to sting - MSI doesn’t let you because it’s inherently stupid and it’s trying to keep you from blowing your head off. It’s not the way to do it. I gave you the choices.

“Oh hey! I usually just run gacutil /i on my dev box to get it to do it. How about we just create a custom action that runs ‘gacutil /i ‘ at the command prompt during the install?”

*gives up* Do you want a blindfold and a cigarette? Or do you intend to see it coming as you shoot yourself in the head?

“What?”

I say it’s the wrong way to do it. I say no.

“We say do it. It works.”

So, anywho. I can produce my resume on request. Please don’t let my work environment set your expectations of my skills.

*sighs*