How to update my .NET C# compiler (csc)?

#dotnet #csharp #beginners #help

So I recently figured my .NET compiler is outdated, seeing as it can't use static imports (using static ...), so I was here to ask, how do I update it?

I tried redownloading .NET, and looking up how to update, but neither of which were really helpful. So can someone explain the steps of updating?

Thanks!
Cheers!

Top comments (14)

Miles Watson • Jan 3 '21 • Edited

You can get the latest .NET SDKs from here: dotnet.microsoft.com/download

Alternatively, you can install visual studio, which should also install the latest SDK.

I recommend using the command “dotnet build” (or run) as opposed to csc, as the dotnet project workflow makes managing dependencies easy (especially when used with Visual Studio).

Calin Baenen • Jan 3 '21

I tried this (as I thought I've said in the post), but csc.exe in C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\<version>\ won't update (as in, a new verson folder won't be added (not the actual file updating)).

How can I get the new version folder, so I can add it to my PATH?

Calin Baenen • Jan 5 '21

So, how do I actually use any of that shit?

Primarily;
What happens if I don't make/have a csproj file?
Do I have to do anything with the file when it's generated?
Why the fuck is it always more complicated than just a language and the compiler/interpreter, why is all this bullshit here, when I just want to do something simple (similar concept applies to Java)?

Calin Baenen • Jan 5 '21 • Edited

I just generated whatever this bullshit is.

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">

    <PropertyGroup>
        <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
        <TargetFramework>net5.0</TargetFramework>
    </PropertyGroup>

</Project>

LIKE, WHAT EVEN THE FUCK DOES THAT MEAN!?!?

ollivuorio • Jul 27 '21

I've battled the same issue and this is what I found out:

stackoverflow.com/questions/685189...

Calin Baenen • Jan 5 '21

So, then how do I use the modern CLI tool(s) (as far as I know, just dotnet) to compile my test.css?

Calin Baenen • Jan 5 '21

Can you explain what exactly this does?
I really don't understand, and I can't see why there isn't a dotnet compile <file)s)>.

Thanks for your help.
Cheers.

Miles Watson • Jan 5 '21 • Edited

Doing dotnet new console creates a new “console” project in the current directory.

It creates two files - a .csproj and a Program.cs file. The Program.cs file contains your code (you can add as many extra cs files as you want). The .csproj file contains information that helps the compiler understand how to build (aka compile) your project. For example, what libraries to use, what framework to build it for, whether to ignore certain warnings etc. The obj/ folder can be ignored.

In that project directory, you can use the command dotnet run to run your project. Alternatively, you can do dotnet build to compile it, and then you can manually click the exe in the bin folder.

It is worth installing visual studio, as it provides a nice interface to manage all this stuff.