.NET Guidebook

Basics

.NET Projects

Using .NET Projects

.NET projects use csproj files for dependencies and builds.

What is a .NET Project?

A .NET project is a collection of files that work together to produce an executable application or library. These projects are managed using a project file, typically with the extension .csproj, which defines the build process and lists dependencies.

Understanding the .csproj File

The .csproj file is an XML file that contains all the necessary information about a .NET project. It includes configurations such as framework version, project dependencies, and build settings. Here is an example of a simple .csproj file:

In this example, the project is set up to target the .NET 5.0 framework and will output an executable. It also references the Newtonsoft.Json package, specifying version 13.0.1.

Adding and Managing Dependencies

Dependencies in a .NET project are managed through the ItemGroup element in the .csproj file. To add a new dependency, you can either manually edit this file or use the dotnet add package command, which automatically updates the .csproj file.

The command above adds the Dapper package version 2.0.90 to your project. This is reflected in the .csproj file under the ItemGroup element.

Building a .NET Project

Building a .NET project compiles the source code and resources into an executable file or a library. This process is typically controlled by the dotnet build command, which reads the configurations from the .csproj file.

Running this command in the terminal will compile your project based on the settings defined in the .csproj file, including any dependencies or framework versions specified.

Conclusion

Understanding how .NET projects are structured and managed is crucial for effective development. The .csproj file plays a pivotal role in organizing project settings, dependencies, and build configurations. Mastering its structure and the associated commands will enhance your ability to develop robust .NET applications.

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