CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#.netvisual-studiovisual-studio-2012
Gowtham Ramamoorthy
Gowtham Ramamoorthy

Reputation: 896

How to build a single .cs file inside the project and get the DLL for that file?

Is it possible to get the DLL file for a single .CS file inside a big project ?

For eg: I have a project named 'Operations' in VS2012 where I have numerous window forms and .CS files.

I need to get a DLL file for the .CS files (which I have changed)... I know we can build the entire project and get the DLL file but how do I get the DLL file for one specific .CS file in that Project ?

Thanks

Upvotes: 0

Views: 3127

Answers (3)

Matt Vukomanovic
Matt Vukomanovic

Reputation: 1440

It is possible as long as you have no dependencies on the other files in your project.

You can see different options How to: Build a Single-File Assembly

In short to create a single file dll you can use one of these command lines

:: will create File.dll
csc File.cs -t:library
:: will create FileOther.dll
csc File.cs -t:library -out:FileOther.dll

One of these to create a single file exe (file must have static main somewhere for an entry point)

:: will create File.exe
csc File.cs 
:: will create FileOther.exe
csc -out:FileOther.exe File.cs

To create a dll or exe from multiple files you can specify multiple files on the command line: note that if doing an exe then either: only one should have a static main; OR you need to also use the /main switch

:: will create File.dll
csc File.cs File2.cs -t:library

:: will create File2.dll
csc File2.cs File.cs -t:library

:: will create File.exe
csc File.cs File2.cs
:: will create FileOther.exe
csc -out:FileOther.exe File.cs File2.cs

:: will create FileOther.exe using the entry point from NAMESPACE_WITH_MAIN_TO_USE
csc -out:FileOther.exe File.cs File2.cs /main:NAMESPACE_WITH_MAIN_TO_USE

:: will create alldirectory.exe
csc -out:alldirectory.exe *.cs

More general usage for the command line compiler can be found at Command-line build with csc.exe

Upvotes: 0

Militello Vincenzo
Militello Vincenzo

Reputation: 187

A DLL is the output for a library project, and not for a cs file.

If you want to have a dll for the specific class, - create a new project with the specific .cs - compile it in a new dll file - add the reference to the new dll file in your main porject

Upvotes: 2

Ben Sheeler
Ben Sheeler

Reputation: 31

I think the easiest way to do this would be to move the file into its own project and reference that project when you need to access the class.

Upvotes: 2

Related Questions