title: Confusion about WCF Class library and WCF application hosting
body: <p>I have a web site and would like to expose certain functionalities using WCF.</p>
  
  <p>Before deciding which type of WCF project I need to use I wanted to compare the differences between <code>WCF Class library</code> and <code>WCF application</code>. <strong>I know this question has been asked many times and answered many times</strong> and the answers are usually about different hosting options each one offers but I wanted to try and see the differences, so this is what I tried:</p>
  
  <p><strong>Step 1 -</strong> In a same solution, I have created a <code>WCF Service library</code> project and created Client console app project, set the console app as a startup project, referenced the service library project from the client project
  and in the client console app I could instantiate the service and can consume the service methods. I didn't even add a service reference to the client project. </p>
  
  <p><strong>Step 2 -</strong> In a same solution, I have created a <code>WCF Service application</code> project and created Client console app project, set the console app as a startup project, referenced the service application project from the client project
  and in the client console app I could instantiate the service and can consume the service methods. I didn't even add a service reference to the client project. </p>
  
  <p>On both steps after compiling the solutions I was able to copy the client app's exe and the service dll's to a different location and still be able to run the clients.</p>
  
  <p>Based on this little excercie I am confused about the hosting part. It seems wether I use WCF Class library or WCF application type I get the same result.</p>
  
  <p>This is just like using multiple projects in a solution, you reference one from another and use the methods, there must be something I am missing which highlights the differences between the two and highlights the benefits of using WCF, also in the past I remember I had to add a service reference to the clients apps in order to consume the service, why is this not the case here?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks</p>