DEV Community

Cover image for Setting up the C# Coding Environment
Grant Riordan
Grant Riordan

Posted on • Edited on

Setting up the C# Coding Environment

Downloading your preferred IDE

Working on a Windows machine ? I suggest downloading the Visual Studio IDE (Integrated Development Environment) from MS VS download page

You could also use VS Code Editor, but it's suited for more experienced developers, allowing you to code in multiple languages. In terms of C# VS Code is more utilised for .Net Core development (again more on this further on in the series).

VS Code Download

Another option is Jetbrains Rider. Previously a paid for option, it recently became free for learning and non-commercial use [circa 2024].

JetBrains Rider

If you’re running a Mac or Linux machine you can use VS Code or JetBrains. I’d highly recommend Rider for its rich environment, easy to use application and it’s heavily rich built in features and tools.

IDE or Editor?

An IDE is an Integrated Development Environment, in essence, it's a code editor with many extra features (code editor, compiling, debugger). Think of an IDE as an all singing all dancing editor.

A text editor is just that, it's a text editing application. However, nowadays they're beginning to branch out with the ability to install extensions, and support languages other than programming languages , such as Markdown and SQL.

Top comments (0)