Creating instances of *unknown types* declared in my App_Code and not in a DLL

[gregbrant]

Hi all,

I'm trying to write a plugin system for a website whereby a user can drop a class in the App_Code directory and then pass the class name on the query string of the aspx file and the ASPX will create an instance of this class.

I've been pratting about with various things but this is my first attempt/hack at reflection.

What i have so far in my Aspx codebeheind is

namespace MyNS{
    public partial class _Default :System.Web.UI.Page {
        string _class = Request.QueryString["class"];
 
        object instance = Activator.CreateInstance(this.GetType().AssemblyQualifiedName, this.GetType().Assembly+"." + _class);    }
}
 

and in my class file

namespace MyNS {
    public class TestClass {
        public TestClass() {
            //
            // TODO: Add constructor logic here
            //
        }
 
        public string Get() {
            return this.ToString();
        }
    }
}
 

I thought by wrapping both bits of code in the same namespace i would be able to make use of
this.GetType().AssemblyQualifiedName
from the aspx but i get this error

Could not load file or assembly 'ASP.Default_aspx\, App_Web_jbgiblwi\, Version\=0.0.0.0\, Culture\=neutral\, PublicKeyToken\=null' or one of its dependencies. The given assembly name or codebase was invalid. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131047)
 

I've seen a few articles that show you how to write a plugin architecture which relies on dll's and Activator.CreateInstanceFrom but i want the users to be able to upload .CS source files and achive the same thing.

Thanks for any help.

Greg

[Plater]

Is your website running as partially compiled (default when you publish) ?

[gregbrant]

Is your website running as partially compiled (default when you publish) ?

yes, the website will be partially compiled

[Plater]

Then the CS file I think will need to be linked before you do the partial compile, as .CS files are not transfered over on a publish of a partially compiled website