Can I use ASP.NET 3.5 at a server with just .NET 2.0?

Question

If I pre-compile all ASPX/ASCX files using Publish and send all System.* dlls that exists in .NET 3.5. will work?

Answer 1

I did a test and worked, but I needed to modify web.config, removing the compilers element that uses csc.exe 3.5. Since I send all files pre-compiled I had no problems

Answer 2

As said earlier here, it depends! Some stuff will probably work, but some won't.

If there's a .NET 2.0 assembly in the GAC and you place a 3.5 assembly in the bin folder, your application will use the GAC assembly (2.0) by default. Therefore you can never be sure if your application will run correct.

You can install the 3.5 framework without a server reboot, so you don't have to be afraid of any downtime, perhaps 1 iisreset to make everything work, but I haven't had to do that in the past.

Answer 3

No it won't work. You will have to install the proper .NET framework on the server itself.

You really expected different answer?

Answer 4

I think the answer here depends on what your project's dependencies are. ASP.NET 3.5 doesn't really exist - for all intensive purposes it's ASP.NET 2.0 with some new extensions that Visual Studio helps you integrate. It's not a standalone framework.

If you're not using LINQ or AJAX I bet your site deploys just fine. If you are using LINQ/AJAX you might find yourself doing a lot of manual assembly entries in your Web.config.