The Native Image Generator (NGen 2.0) Install Action enables the creation and installation of a native image for an assembly and its dependencies. Assemblies with native images run faster on the current machine because they can bypass the .NET Just-In-Time compiler.
Requirements
- This action requires the Microsoft .NET Framework version selected in the action.
- Administrator privileges are required.
User Interface
Assembly
Specify assembly by file
Enter the explicit path of an assembly to precompile.
Specify an assembly in the global assembly cache
Specify the full display name of an assembly in the global assembly cache. Separate extra properties with commas.
e.g. "bobsAssembly, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=1138abc1dabcdfle2".
Framework version
Use default Framework version (vX.X) / Use vX.X
Allows the selection of the .NET version to use for NGen. The minimum is .NET v2.0.
Use 64-bit tools
This options specifies as whether to force the usage of 64-bit tools on a 64-bit system or not. As FinalBuilder is currently a 32-bit application it will default to running the 32-bit version on a 64-bit system. Check this option if you require the 64-bit version to be run.
Scenarios
Generate images for use with a debugger
If this option is turned on debug information is included in the generated image.
Generate images for use with profiler
If this options is turned on a profiler will be able to load the generated image.
Minimise the native image dependencies that are generated
If this option is turned on the native image will be generated with a minimum of dependencies. This is not recommended because non-native dependencies will cause the Just In Time compiler to be invoked, negating the benefits of Native Images.
Configuration
Configure using executable assembly
The assembly configuration can be taken from an executable configuration. This allows NGen to get a better idea as to what dependencies would be loaded by the assembly.
Configure using appbase directory
The directory to use as the application base when locating dependencies for the supplied assembly.
Options
Queue for execution by the native image service
Rather than installing directly, the generation and installation can be queued for execution by the Native Image Service. There are three levels of priority lowest, normal, and highest.
Verbose execution
Includes the maximum amount of information while generating the native assembly. Useful for debugging issues with the action, does slow down generation however. Therefore we recommend turning this off during normal script runs.