Explain manifest and metadata

[Rafaeel]

I have a problem regarding manifest and metadata files. These files are asp.net related files but I don't know what they do. I am currently studying in a T.Y.B.Sc.I.T and I want to understand what is manifest and metadata files. If you have any information please give me. In books there is no information about these files which clears my problem. Please help me.

[Praetor]

Collection of files in asp.net is called assembly and in these files only one assembly file contains a special metadata called as manifest file. This manifest file is save as binary file and it contains details like versioning requirements for assembly and list of files that are used to form the assembly. The metadata is called data about data.

[Katty]

Manifest file is a metadata about assembly files. Machine-readable information about a resource is called metadata. It is also called data about data. In asp.net metadata includes type definitions, version information and other standardized information. A manifest file contains metadata about .NET assemblies. It is text file which describe the relation between component in assembly. It also has versioning information,scope information and security permissions.

[kelfro]

Metadata is the complete way of describing what is in a .NET assembly. An integral part of every assembly is called assembly manifest. There are certain information like assembly identity, assembly implementation which is used at run time and it help to resolve references and validate the integrity of loaded assemblies.

[Zecho]

In every assembly whether static or dynamic has a collection of data that describes how the elements in a assembly are related to each other. The assembly manifest contain assembly metadata that requires to specify the assembly version requirements and security identity. A manifest file is stored as PE file with Microsoft Intermediate language and it contains only assembly manifest information.

[absolute55]

Metadata is binary information that describe your program that saved as PE file or in memory. Metadata is inserted into one part of file when it is complied from code to PE file. When your code is converted into Microsoft intermediate language, metadata is inserted into another portion of the file. When code is executed, the runtime loads metadata into memory and use as reference to discover information about your code's classes.