Platform Target
Platform target switch is used to generate assemblies for 32 bit, 64 bit or for both (that can be used on 32 as well as 64 bit machine)
Switch:
x86: Generate assemblies for 32 bit platform.
x64: Generate assemblies for 64 bit platform.
Any CPU : Generate assemblies for 32 bit as well as 64 bit platform.
Example:
Lets suppose I have some exe's and dll's generated using these switches.
EXE DLL Switch
Myx86.exe Myx86.dll - x86
Myx64.exe Myx64.dll - x64
MyAnyCPU.exe MyAnyCPU.dll - Any CPU
Running exe on 32 bit machine:
Myx86.exe will act as 32 bit application and can refer Myx86.dll and MyAnyCPU.dll but will give exception for Myx64.dll
Myx64.exe will give an exception.
MyAnyCPU.exe will act as 32 bit application and can refer Myx86.dll and MyAnyCPU.dll but will give exception for Myx64.dll
Running exe on 64 bit machine:
Myx86.exe will will act as 32 bit application and can refer Myx86.dll and MyAnyCPU.dll but will give exception for Myx64.dll
Myx64.exe will act as 64 bit application and can refer Myx64.dll and MyAnyCPU.dll but will give exception for Myx86.dll
MyAnyCPU.exe will act as 64 bit application and can refer Myx64.dll and MyAnyCPU.dll but will give exception for Myx86.dll