Is GAC a memory area or hard disk area?

Question

Is the GAC a memory area or hard disk area (C:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Assembly\...) I am confused by the word cache in GAC?

Answer 1

GAC is a folder:

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\assembly

The assemblies stored in the folder(s) under that folder are in the GAC. You add assemblies to the GAC by signing them, then using gacutil to add them. The GAC is one of the locations a managed assembly will look for any external references.