(slang) inWindows (any version), the confusing situation that results when more than one DLL file has the same name. If the DLLs are installed in a system directory, then the most recently installed file replaces earlier ones. Since nothing prevents two programmers from choosing the same filename, the conflicting DLLs can be completely unrelated. More often, the conflicting DLLs are different versions of the same file, one newer than the other; in that case, software relying on the file will start up normally, but there will be subtle malfunctions.
With conventional (non-ActiveX) DLLs, problems can be prevented by storing each program's DLLs in its own directory, not in a system directory. Also, current versions ofWindows quietly undo any modifications to operating-system DLLs, so that you cannot damage the operating system by installing an application program. The .NET framework eliminates DLL Hell by tying each application explicitly to its DLLs and allowing multiple versions to coexist.
