vb.net compile error 'abc' is ambiguous in the namespace 'xyz'

Question

I have a VB.Net solution that another developer created and I'm trying to compile it on our build machine (it compiles on their machine) but with one of the projects I get an error saying something along the lines of:

Imyinterface is ambiguous in the namespace anamespaceassembly.

I have tried with no success:

• examined the references to see any obvious errors
• removed and re-added the assembly in question
• searched the system for the same dll
• attempted to compile the original deve's src (.v the source control version)
• examined the assembly with ildasm.exe

I usually code in C# and have not seen this error before (in this form at least), not that it is VB.Net specific but the UI for adding/viewing references is slightly different so I thought maybe VB.Net might do something different with references.

I also tried to compile on another machine, and it compiles ok. So I assume it is something with the build machine but I'm not sure what. Other conflicting assemblies somehow not referenced by the project, is that possible??

Any ideas?

Answer 1

Check your references if you have two versions of the same reference (eg. Microsoft.ReportViewer.Webforms version 10.0.0.0 and Microsoft.ReportViewer.Webforms 8.0.0.0) You will get this error. Delete the oldest and you should be good. I do this to myself all of the time.

Answer 2

There can be a few causes for this error. In VB, you should be aware that more names then you're used to from C# are available without class specification. Also, case does not matter in VB, which can further liken the chances on collisions.

Even in the event that you don't find the actual conflicting issue, you can resolve this in the same way you would in C#: rename it in the Imports statement:

Imports IM = yourAssembly.Imyinterface

Then change the code such that uses of Imyinterface are replace with IM.

NOTE: If the error does not point to a particular line, the conflict may be out of your hand. Normally, a full Clean Solution and Rebuild helps a lot, but occasionally a misbehaving file (i.e., another error) causes this error to popup first without clear source. Try to rollback recent changes to the place where it did work.

You also say it worked on another machine. Chances are that your machine is having a different version of MS Visual Studio or .NET. Check and compare the exact versions.