I'm trying to figure out what an "ASP.NET 5 Class Library" (vNext) C# project has to do with ASP.NET. Why create a project with this template rather than just a regular C# "Class Library" project?
I like the new features, such as project.json file rather than .csproj file etc, but it doesn't seem right to create an "ASP.NET" class library when the project has nothing to do with ASP.NET or IIS etc. It's just a project for the business logic layer. A new WebApi ASP.NET web site will eventually reference this project, but that's not relevant at this point.
Is it just badly named? Should it just be called "vNext Class Library" and not use an icon that looks like a web app?
Why create an ASP.NET 5 Class Library project?
There are a number of benefits of ASP.NET 5 Class Library projects (.kproj) over Class Library projects (.csproj):
ASP.NET 5 class libraries easily support cross-compiling projects to multiple targets, such as aspnet50, aspnetcore50, net45, and various other portable class library variations. This includes rich Visual Studio support for Intellisense to notify you which APIs are available for which targets.
NuGet packages are automatically created, which is an extremely common thing to do with class libraries.
Better productivity when it comes to things like automatically refreshing Solution Explorer when the file system changes. Fewer conflicts in source control when trying to merge conflicting changes in the *.csproj file.
Can be compiled cross-platform (in part because it doesn't depend on MSBuild)
You can reference a *.csproj project from a *.kproj project (this was just made a lot easier with the new preview of Visual Studio 2015), but it was always possible with some manual steps.
Why does the name have "ASP.NET" in it?
As far as the names goes, it's a relic of history that will soon be addressed. The new project type is useful far beyond ASP.NET 5 applications. Expect to see new names in a future preview of Visual Studio:
.NET Console Application (Cross-platform)
.NET Class Library (Cross-platform)
Update 5/13/2015
With the release of Visual Studio 2015 RC you can see the updated project template names:
Class Library (Package)
Console Application (Package)
These use the project.json file and the .NET Execution Environment (DNX) to build, run, and package (into a NuGet package) the project.
These project templates continue to show up in the New Project dialog under the "Web" node, but now also show up in the main "Visual C#" node as well.
This is an interesting observation, the current template will generate a class library compatible with ASP.NET 5 runtime. You don't get that from the normal C# class library.
I filed the following issue for tracking this design question - https://github.com/aspnet/Home/issues/281
From what I understand one benefit is that the end product of ASP.NET 5 Class Library project is a NuGet package (rather than just the .dll assembly).
You can generate the NuGet package by right clicking the project in Visual Studio 2015 and choosing the "Publish..." option. Or you can use "KPM pack" at the command line.
Also, you have the ability to use the ASP.NET 5 Core runtime so that your library can run cross-platform .
Related
I'm working on a WPF application that is made up of two projects;
Main app that contains most of the front-end stuff and the other project is,
A .net standard class library that contains the viewmodels
Now I want to create an installer for my solution. I have tried to do so using Installshield.
First, I built the project and copied the .dll generated from the second project ( class library ). Then during the creation of the installer, I imported this library. But the application doesn't function well when I install. I'm having some trouble which to my best guest is that part of the nuget packages used by the class library are missing.
I'll be very grateful if anyone can point me to the right direction on how to create a setup that will include both projects.
I built the second solution (.net library ) which gave me a .dll file. Then I used Advanced installer to create a setup for my application.
Is it possible to make Visual Studio to copy all dependencies of referenced projects into the output path?
Example
In the Solution, Project A (Library, .NET Standard) defines some functions and is dependent on Library L1 (via NuGet) and Library L2 (local .dll, referenced and copied to project)
Project B (Console Application) references Project A.
When building B, The output folder contains all direct dependencies of B and A.dll. L1 and L2 are not available in the output. Therefore, the program does not work correctly.
How can I force VS to copy also L1 and L2 to the output of B?
The only way I found so far is packing A as NuGet, but this seems to be unnecessary overhead and uncomfortable. I think I am just forgetting something everyone else seems to know...
Edit (clearifying Example)
My solutions consists of two projects.
Project MongoWrapper
.NET Standard 2.0 class Library
depends on NuGet MongoDB.Driver package
Actually uses this dependency (no zombie dependency)
Project ConsoleUser
.Net Framework 4.6.1 Console Application
References MongoWrapper project
Actually uses MongoWrapper
Observation
When debugging the ConsoleUser application, it compiles and starts. During runtime, when it calls a method in the MongoWrapper which uses the MongoDB.Driver, the application crashes, as the MongoDB.Driver dependency was not copied into the output folder of the ConsoleUser.
How to fix this?
The problem was introduced by the usage of .Net Standard library and a .Net Framework application.
TLDR
Open the .csproj file of the .Net Framework project with a text editor. Inside the first PropertyGroup add the line
<RestoreProjectStyle>PackageReference</RestoreProjectStyle>
Save the file, reopen Solution in Visual Studio and perform Clean & Build
Dependencies in different project file versions
.Net Framework projects use an old version of the .csproj project files. References/Dependencies are stored in the additional packages.configfile. By default, building a .Net Framework project makes the system to search for a packages.config file in the referenced projects. If no such file is found, the build task treats the referenced project as having no dependencies. Therefore, in the example, the MongoDB.Driver library is not added.
By adding the proposed line in the .csproj project file, the build task searches the project file of the referenced project for dependencies, where they are stored in .Net Standard project files.
.Net Core projects by default search for the newer project file structure.
The default behavior for new projects can be set in the Options -> NuGet -> General -> Package Management
Is it possible to make Visual Studio to copy all dependencies of referenced projects into the output path?
Yes.
This is what publishing the application does - it prepares the application for deployment. When you publish, it will include all of the dependencies that the application requires to run in the output.
Use the Publish tool to deploy to a local folder. The exact options available depend on your app type. In Solution Explorer, right-click your project and choose Publish, and then choose Folder. For more information, see Deploy to a local folder.
Tutorial: Publish your Hello World application with Visual Studio 2017
Also see: .NET Core application deployment.
I would like to know how I can share c# source codes between two (or more) .NET Core projects (commandline projects!).
As far as I understand, I can not link to source files in different directories in xproj/project.json based projects. I noticed that it now seems to be recommended to create nuget packages for everything. But is it really necessary for me to setup a private repository and create a nuget package only to be able to share some common source units?
VS2015 contains a template for .NET Core library which may be suitable for building a shared lib. Is it possible to link this lib to a project without a nuget package?
.NET Core Library is an excellent solution for you.
Do it the same way as in standard C# solution - just create the project and reference this project or add a reference to DLL file.
You don't need to use a Nuget, for your own purpose. Nuget packages could be useful to distribute your dll outside.
Clarification:
I miss one point - I'm using VS2015, but I have included Class Library project in my solution, and I'm referencing by project, not by DLL file, and this works fine in ASP.Net Core.
I also have a different project, where referencing DLL file directly working fine, but this is the previous version of ASP.NET app (not Core) - seems NET Core doesn't support this way like as the previous version (yet?).
Sorry for confusing you, sometimes it's too many technologies ;)
So could you just include ClassLibrary project into solution with your project and refer it as a project?
I have achieved this by using source control to branch from my commonly used projects in each new solution, and again merging back to the master branch if I make any changes.
Alternatively, baring in mind that NuGet is only an archived collection of files, you could keep this NuGet package locally, or even create a Template for Visual Studio that has the common libraries by default.
There are a wide range of possibilities that are down to your preference, and current environment state (I.E: Able to setup Source Control, or a package repository).
I am working on a Windows Service Application. I have several classes in the project and I am trying to put these classes into a ClassLibrary so I can use those classes in the Service App Project, and also in a Console Application Project, so I can run the console version and step through the code. I don't want to re-invent the wheel here...
I have created a Class Library project, and I am having trouble updating the projects in this Solution to use these classes. In fact, when I moved all my classes into the Class Library project, they are all now throwing errors saying, "System" has no member "Data"! My A$$ it doesn't! Pulling my hair out.
Obviously, I have done something wrong. I've been programming since before there WAS a Visual Studio IDE, but this is SEEMING way more complicated than it should be.
Now my Service project cannot reference my Class Library project because the library doesn't have a .dll or .exe extension? I actually have to specify this somewhere, WhereTF do I do this? Isn't this the default behavior of a ClassLibrary? OMG! I just finished an iOS application, and NEVER thought that would be EASIER than a C# app! I did this in VS2010 easily, is 2015 really different?
It should take me no more than 30 minutes to move files from one project in a solution to it's own project, and then add a reference to that new project in the old one. Giving MS a MegaMindWedgie right now..
Don't need portability with RT hardware, just want 32-bit/64-bit computer apps.
All 3 projects are using the same namespace. I can't seem to add any references to the ClassLibrary project like I can in the Service project. It's blank. The only reference available to the Class Library project is .NETStandard,Version=v1.6
HELP...
It looks like you have created .NET Core class library. You can determine this based on the extension of the project file: *.csproj has been used with classic .NET framework projects, and *.xproj was introduced for .NET Core. Most probably, you don't need a .NET Core class library. So, your problem will go away if you create .NET Framework Class Library project.
I am trying to create a new c# class library in Visual Studio 2015 but when I to compile, the only option is "1.0.0-beta5" as the Framework.
I need this under 4.0. Why is it doing this?
I need this under 4.0. Why is it doing this?
Because you made a class library for ASP.NET vNext.
Is there an easy way to migrate this if I have to start all over?
I would just create a new class library, and move all code files there, which you then can include. The project.json and old skool csproj files aren't compatible, so you have to do the set-up by hand. So don't forget the references and the custom actions you might have.
You selected Class Library (Package) (the red in the image below) which is for ASP.NET 5 projects. You want Class library (the yellow):
You shouldn't need to start completely over - you should be able to create a new Class Library project, copy your files over and add them to the project.