How to Install a C# Compiler Without Visual Studio

Is it possible to install a C# compiler without Visual Studio?

Sure, the framework includes a compiler, csc.exe. Look at this article for a quick how-to. The important parts:

You can get the command-line compiler (csc.exe) from Microsoft site
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/aa731542.aspx.

Download the redistributable package of the .NET Framework, which includes the compiler and the .NET Framework with C# 2005 syntax support.

The compiler is located in the following
directory:
%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\

Also look at this MSDN article for a full guide and explanation.

Note that for more recent versions, you will be looking for the MSBuild standalone package rather than the framework -- see @Vadzim's answer.

How can I compile and run c# program without using visual studio?

If you have .NET v4 installed (so if you have a newer windows or if you apply the windows updates)

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\csc.exe somefile.cs

or

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\msbuild.exe nomefile.sln

or

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\msbuild.exe nomefile.csproj

It's highly probable that if you have .NET installed, the %FrameworkDir% variable is set, so:

%FrameworkDir%\v4.0.30319\csc.exe ...

%FrameworkDir%\v4.0.30319\msbuild.exe ...

C# Compilation without visual studio

The command line compiler is csc.exe.

MSDN has an article that might help get you started.

Building C# console project without Visual Studio

If you have a project ready and just want to change some code and then build, check out MSBuild which is located in the Microsoft.Net folder under the Windows directory.

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\msbuild "C:\Projects\MyProject.csproj" /p:Configuration=Debug;DeployOnBuild=True;PackageAsSingleFile=False;outdir=C:\Projects\MyProjects\Publish\

(Please do not edit, leave as a single line)

... The line above broken up for readability

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\msbuild "C:\Projects\MyProject.csproj"
/p:Configuration=Debug;DeployOnBuild=True;PackageAsSingleFile=False;
outdir=C:\Projects\MyProjects\Publish\

How to determine which versions and service pack levels of the Microsoft .NET Framework are installed

Can I compile DLLs without Visual Studio?

Yes, you can use MinGW to compile C++ to a DLL from the commandline.

If you prefer a GUI interface, you might try Code::Blocks. It comes bundled with a tweaked version of MinGW, but since it's a GUI-based IDE you don't have to interact with it directly :)

However, you'll still need to get your swig-wrapped code into a C# DLL. I'd investigate whether MonoDevelop can achieve this.

EDIT: Just seen ReCoF's answer - it seems you can use MonoDevelop for the C# side of things so you're good to go :)

Compile C# project without VS

MSBuild is the build system that Visual Studio uses - you can use it directly with solution and project files as they are msbuild files.

It comes with the .NET redistributable downloads.

Note that for many types of solutions you will need to install auxiliary tools (for example resgen if you have any resource generation happening).

How to compile C# file without a project?

You can use https://dotnetfiddle.net/

You can specify different things in it. It is best for writing fast answers, also you can post link with your saved work. It is similar to jsfiddle if you aware of it.

How can I compile .NET 3.5 C# code on a system without Visual Studio?

Microsoft (R) Visual C# 2008 Compiler version 3.5.21022.8

That's old, original .NET 3.5 release. Service Pack 1 has a rather unfortunate name, there were a great many changes. I don't have the time machine to check if it added the MacOSX member. Timing is about right for coinciding with Silverlight.

Enable Windows Update or install SP1 directly.

How to install the MS C# 6.0 compiler?

From the Roslyn project on GitHub:

To install the latest release without Visual Studio, run one of the following nuget command lines:

nuget install Microsoft.Net.Compilers   # Install C# and VB compilers
nuget install Microsoft.CodeAnalysis    # Install Language APIs and Services

To get the latest "preview" drop, published about once per month, add the -pre switch to the nuget commands.

---

Related Topics