Global Assembly Cache (GAC)

The Global Assembly Cache (GAC) is a storage area in Windows used to hold shared .NET software libraries (assemblies) that multiple applications can use. It ensures that commonly used components are maintained in a central location, preventing conflicts and version issues. When developers create .NET programs, they can deploy shared libraries to the GAC, making updates easier and application dependencies more manageable. Essentially, the GAC helps keep shared code organized, consistent, and accessible system-wide, facilitating smoother operation of multiple applications relying on common .NET components.