How to load and run a .NET 6 project without .SLN file using VS 2022--

Question

How to load and run a .NET 6 project without .SLN file using VS 2022--

P. G. Choudhury 146

So basically my problem is - how do I run a .Net 6 Core project that does not have a .sln file.

I downloaded a sample code from github for a project but when I went ahead to browse the code I discovered that the project does not have any .sln file. There is a .csproj file though.

After loading the project[from folders option] I did a dotnet restore which completed ok.

But then how to run this project? A step by step guide would be of much help. I am using VS 2022.

Thanks. Some guidance needed.

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Answer 1

Michael Taylor 60,326

A solution file is simply a virtual collection of projects. If you need a solution file then use File \ New Project. Then type Solution in the search field. You'll see the Blank Solution template, select it. You have to create the solution in an empty folder but otherwise it'll create the solution file.

Once you have the blank solution either copy the solution file into your project directory or copy the project directory into the solution directory. After that load the solution and then right-click the solution in Solution Explorer and select Add Existing Project and select your project. You're done.

Alternatively I believe if you loaded the project into Visual Studio then you can tell VS to save all and it'll prompt you to create a solution because projects need to be in solutions. I haven't tried this in a while though.

P. G. Choudhury 146 Reputation points

2023-03-15T15:40:59.1033333+00:00

hi,

I loaded it into VS2022 using the open folder option. As per your direction, I created a blank solution and then added existing project to it. Now, it looks familiar. But one thing, when I run the project now, it does not opening any launchurl on the browser. Originally it was a webapi type of project. So I was expecting it to load/launch a default url. That did not happen.
P. G. Choudhury 146 Reputation points

2023-03-15T15:44:18.7033333+00:00

What I am trying to say is that -- when you create a brand new webapi project and run it, just like it loads the weatherforecast url; something similar. In the Program.cs of the downloaded project it is given in last line -->

app.Run("http://localhost:4000");

But nothing is opening or displayed.
Michael Taylor 60,326 Reputation points

2023-03-15T16:23:09.82+00:00

If you have a web app/api and you set it as startup then the default is it'll start the browser. In VS 2022 that is controlled by the launchsettings.json file that is added to the project for newer .NET apps. If you have an older MVC app then under the project's properties is the Web tab where you specify what URL to go to when the debugger starts, if any.

For non-web apps then it'll just run the EXE of the startup project. But, again that is controlled by the project's property settings for older apps or launchsettings.json in the newer framework.

If you start the debugger and nothing happens then set a breakpoint in the startup code and ensure it runs. If it doesn't then please provide us the startup code and type of application you have so we can understand what is going on.

Answer 2

Bruce (SqlWork.com) 78,006 Volunteer Moderator

solution files are just for visual studio (and msbuild), they are not used by dotnet.

you should be able to just run

dotnet run

or build

dotnet build

and run the executable in the bin folder. the build will give path

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How to load and run a .NET 6 project without .SLN file using VS 2022--

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