CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#class
Nosrama
Nosrama

Reputation: 14964

How do I use a C# Class Library in a project?

I've created a new Class Library in C# and want to use it in one of my other C# projects - how do I do this?

Upvotes: 77

Views: 221854

Answers (9)

Michael Todd
Michael Todd

Reputation: 17071

Add a reference to it in your project and a using clause at the top of the CS file where you want to use it.

Adding a reference:

  1. In Visual Studio, click Project, and then Add Reference.
  2. Click the Browse tab and locate the DLL you want to add a reference to.
    NOTE: Apparently using Browse is bad form if the DLL you want to use is in the same project. Instead, right-click the Project and then click Add Reference, then select the appropriate class from the Projects tab: enter image description here
  3. Click OK.

Adding a using clause:

Add using [namespace]; to the CS file where you want to reference your library. So, if the library you want to reference has a namespace called MyLibrary, add the following to the CS file:

using MyLibrary;

Upvotes: 89

sohan yadav
sohan yadav

Reputation: 69

Right Click on Project--> Add--> New Project-->click on Class Library.

Now your class library is created as class1.cs.

Right Click on References (of your program/console app).

-->Add Reference-->classLibrary1 (whatever you named). Now mention "using ClassLibrary1" in your program/console app.

Now, you can easily call the method/property in your console app.

Upvotes: 4

usefulBee
usefulBee

Reputation: 9702

There are necessary steps that are missing in the above answers to work for all levels of devs:

  1. compile your class library project
  2. the dll file will be available in the bin folder
  3. in another project, right click ProjectName and select "Add" => "Existing Item"
  4. Browser to the bin folder of the class library project and select the dll file (3 & 4 steps are important if you plan to ship your app to other machines)
  5. as others mentioned, add reference to the dll file you "just" added to your project
  6. as @Adam mentioned, just call the library name from anywhere in your program, you do not need a using statement

Upvotes: 1

Kent Boogaart
Kent Boogaart

Reputation: 178790

  1. Add a reference to your library
  2. Import the namespace
  3. Consume the types in your library

Upvotes: 1

SwDevMan81
SwDevMan81

Reputation: 50018

Here is a good article on creating and adding a class library. Even shows how to create Methods through the method wizard and how to use it in the application

Upvotes: 2

Adam Robinson
Adam Robinson

Reputation: 185693

I'm not certain why everyone is claiming that you need a using statement at the top of your file, as this is entirely unnecessary.

Right-click on the "References" folder in your project and select "Add Reference". If your new class library is a project in the same solution, select the "Project" tab and pick the project. If the new library is NOT in the same solution, click the "Browse" tab and find the .dll for your new project.

Upvotes: 3

Charlie
Charlie

Reputation: 10307

You need to add a reference to your class library from your project. Right click on the references folder and click add reference. You can either browse for the DLL or, if your class libaray is a project in your solution you can add a project reference.

Upvotes: 1

Max Schmeling
Max Schmeling

Reputation: 12509

In the Solution Explorer window, right click the project you want to use your class library from and click the 'Add Reference' menu item. Then if the class library is in the same solution file, go to the projects tab and select it; if it's not in the same tab, you can go to the Browse tab and find it that way.

Then you can use anything in that assembly.

Upvotes: 7

Daniel May
Daniel May

Reputation: 8246

Add it as a reference.

References > Add Reference > Browse for your DLL.

You will then need to add a using statement to the top of your code.

Upvotes: 1

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