How can I use CSC.EXE (.NET Framework Executable) to compile C# code into executables or libraries? CSC Syntax

Question

Note: This question has been copied over from answers.microsoft.com. Originally asked here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-can-i-use-cscexe-net-framework-executable-to/2c113acd-900e-4180-841e-abf6a969f757

Hello. Recently I was trying to find out how do I compile my .CS file (C# File with C# Code) into an EXE or DLL file for my program without installing any software. I asked some of my friends in case they know, they told me to use csc (.NET Framework Feature). It is located in C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework*system dotnet framework version*\csc.exe -- Visual C# Command Line Compiler. They did not provide command-line syntax, so here's why I ask this question.

I tried to run CSC.EXE from its own path in CMD, but I got nothing that useful... (I was using no arguments)

Can anyone provide the usage of csc.exe, for operations like compiling a C# file into a library or executable?

Note: There are no system instabilities or anything whatsoever. I need this information, it is related to my program.

I did actually refer to learn.microsoft.com to see CSC.exe syntax, but, didn't get what I need.

Answer 1

@AbdulqadirAliyev-3681, Welcome to Microsoft Q&A, you could try the following steps to use csc.exe to convert .cs file to an exe file.

First, please create the following .cs file in the path C:\Test\Project.

using System;  
  
public class HelloWorld {  
    public static void Main()   
    {  
        Console.WriteLine("Hello world!");  
        Console.ReadKey();  
  
    }  
}  

Second, please open your command prompt in your computer.

Third, please use the following cmd to convert your .cs file to exe file.

csc.exe -out:C:\Test\Project\Program.exe C:\Test\Project\Program.cs  

Finally, you could see the output in the console window and the exe is shown in the folder.

Hope this could help you.

Best Regards,
Jack

Answer 2

For example, create a source file (hello.cs) like this:

using System;  
  
namespace MyNamespace  
{  
  class MyProgram  
  {  
     static void Main( string[] args )  
     {  
       Console.WriteLine("Hello!");  
     }  
  }  
}  

Then execute this command:

 C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\.....\csc.exe hello.cs

(Specify the correct path). It will create the hello.exe file.