I can't compile a standard "WCF Service Library" in x86 format ...

Question

Hi,

If I start up Microsoft Visual Studio, create a standard "WCF Service Library", and compile it, it works perfectly.

However, if I go into Properties..Build and set the "Platform Target" to "x86", it won't compile. I need "x86" because I need to reference some .dll's that simply won't work if I choose "All Platforms".

-----start error-----
System.BadImageFormatException: Could not load file or assembly 'file:///D:\backtest\C#\WCF service\WcfServiceLibrary\bin\Debug\WcfServiceLibrary.dll' or one of its dependencies. An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format.
File name: 'file:///D:\backtest\C#\WCF service for\WcfServiceLibrary\bin\Debug\WcfServiceLibrary.dll'
   at System.Reflection.RuntimeAssembly._nLoad(AssemblyName fileName, String codeBase, Evidence assemblySecurity, RuntimeAssembly locationHint, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, Boolean throwOnFileNotFound, Boolean forIntrospection, Boolean suppressSecurityChecks)
   at System.Reflection.RuntimeAssembly.InternalLoadAssemblyName(AssemblyName assemblyRef, Evidence assemblySecurity, StackCrawlMark& stackMark, Boolean forIntrospection, Boolean suppressSecurityChecks)
   at System.Reflection.Assembly.Load(AssemblyName assemblyRef)
   at Microsoft.Tools.SvcHost.ServiceHostHelper.LoadServiceAssembly(String svcAssemblyPath)

=== Pre-bind state information ===
LOG: User = dr-satellite\Shane
LOG: Where-ref bind. Location = D:\backtest\C#\WCF service for\WcfServiceLibrary\bin\Debug\WcfServiceLibrary.dll
LOG: Appbase = file:///D:/backtest/C#/WCF service for/WcfServiceLibrary/bin/Debug
LOG: Initial PrivatePath = NULL
Calling assembly : (Unknown).
===
LOG: This bind starts in LoadFrom load context.
WRN: Native image will not be probed in LoadFrom context. Native image will only be probed in default load context, like with Assembly.Load().
LOG: Using application configuration file: D:\backtest\C#\WCF service for\WcfServiceLibrary\bin\Debug\WcfServiceLibrary.dll.config
LOG: Using host configuration file: 
LOG: Using machine configuration file from C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\config\machine.config.
LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///D:/backtest/C#/WCF service for/WcfServiceLibrary/bin/Debug/WcfServiceLibrary.dll.
ERR: Failed to complete setup of assembly (hr = 0x8007000b). Probing terminated.
-----end error-----

Answer 1

I found two good methods to solve this:

1. Installing the 64-bit version of Matlab means you can compile 64-bit .dll's which are compatible with the 64-bit WCF Service Library. This removes the need to compile in 32-bit mode so it doesn't throw exceptions when it calls the 32-bit assembly. This solution works well.
2. There are two types of projects you can generate in MSVS 2010: "WCF Service Library" and "WCF Service Application". Although you cannot build and run a "WCF Service Library" in 32-bit mode (it only supports 64-bit), you can build and run a "WCF Service Application" in 32-bit mode". So, instead of using a "WCF Service Application" (as it will not build in 32-bit mode), use a "WCF Service Library" (as it will build in 32-bit mode). This solution also works well.