A method and apparatus for managing the use of a software code by a selected application program are disclosed. The method includes detecting an instance of using the code, identifying the application program that is using the code, confirming a conflict between the code and the application, and reporting the conflict to one or more selected parties. Confirmation of the conflict may occur by using a database whose content includes a plurality of selected application programs, along with a corresponding plurality of proper software codes, such as DLL files, which are appropriate for each of the selected application programs to use. A computer workstation or networked computer system may embody the method in the form of instructions stored in a machine-accessible medium.