deploying debug builds

[Bob]

I Debug build my (WinForms) assemblies and then deploy them (simple copy to
client) without the .pdb files. This works fine, but I like to know:

- Without the .pdb files, will the .dll's act essentially the same as
Release?
- Are there any significant performance gains to compiling Release instead
of Debug?
- Will the lack of .pdb files in deployment ever matter if I'm not inclined
to remotely debug?

TIA,
Bob

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

I Debug build my (WinForms) assemblies and then deploy them
(simple copy to client) without the .pdb files. This works fine,
but I like to know:

- Without the .pdb files, will the .dll's act essentially the same as
Release?

No. The binaries for release and debug builds are different. Debug
binaries contain much more 'nop' commands in order to support stepping in
the code when debugging, and thus are usually slower when being executed.

- Are there any significant performance gains to compiling
Release instead of Debug?

Release is called release because it's the preferred configuration when
software is released. I strongly suggest to deploy release builds only.

 

[Bob]

You've been here a while, Harfried. Wish I could buy you a beer.

Thanks for the advice.

Bob

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

You've been here a while, Harfried. Wish I could buy you a
beer.