Compile a C# source code file Without Building in IDE?

[Peter van der Goes]

I'll guess this has been addressed many times, but my finding skills (Google
Groups, etc) seem to have failed me (not unheard of).
Using VS.NET 2003 Pro, I have a multi file project consisting of several
class definitions, each in its own file) from which I wish to instantiate
objects and test the classes in a simple console application with Main(),
contained in a separate file. As long as the file with Main() is in the
project, all is well and I can build/rebuild the project, thus recompiling
the code in all files as needed.
Now, I wish to remove with Main() and just recompile the other files
selectively as needed. When I do that, C# immediately complains that there
is no entry point. So, from C++ experience, I tried adding the Compile
button to the Build toolbar. No go, as the button appears, but is inactive.
I would like to be able to make these classes available to students without
revealing the source code, sort of like giving C++ developers the .h file,
but not the implementing companion .cpp.
So, the question is: is there a way to just compile C# from within the IDE,
or must I resort to using the command line for this activity? Once
accomplished, how do I expose the interface only? Further, is it possible
that what I want to do is inappropriate to the C# development model?

--
************************************************** ********************
** All opinions are mine alone.Do not attribute elsewhere!
************************************************** ********************
** Peter van der Goes, Professor, Computers & Information Technology
** Rose State College
*********************** Contact ************************************
** Office e-mail: pv**@rose.edu
** Home e-mail: p_**********@cox.net
** Web Page: http://www.rose.edu/Faculty/pvan/index.htm
************************************************** ********************

[Arild Bakken]

Did you change the output type of the project to "Class library" ?

Arild

"Peter van der Goes" <p_**********@mars.cox.net> wrote in message
news:%2****************@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...

I'll guess this has been addressed many times, but my finding skills (Google Groups, etc) seem to have failed me (not unheard of).
Using VS.NET 2003 Pro, I have a multi file project consisting of several
class definitions, each in its own file) from which I wish to instantiate
objects and test the classes in a simple console application with Main(),
contained in a separate file. As long as the file with Main() is in the
project, all is well and I can build/rebuild the project, thus recompiling
the code in all files as needed.
Now, I wish to remove with Main() and just recompile the other files
selectively as needed. When I do that, C# immediately complains that there
is no entry point. So, from C++ experience, I tried adding the Compile
button to the Build toolbar. No go, as the button appears, but is inactive. I would like to be able to make these classes available to students without revealing the source code, sort of like giving C++ developers the .h file,
but not the implementing companion .cpp.
So, the question is: is there a way to just compile C# from within the IDE, or must I resort to using the command line for this activity? Once
accomplished, how do I expose the interface only? Further, is it possible
that what I want to do is inappropriate to the C# development model?

--
************************************************** ********************
** All opinions are mine alone.Do not attribute elsewhere!
************************************************** ********************
** Peter van der Goes, Professor, Computers & Information Technology
** Rose State College
*********************** Contact ************************************
** Office e-mail: pv**@rose.edu
** Home e-mail: p_**********@cox.net
** Web Page: http://www.rose.edu/Faculty/pvan/index.htm
************************************************** ********************

[Jon Skeet]

Peter van der Goes <p_**********@mars.cox.net> wrote:

I'll guess this has been addressed many times, but my finding skills (Google
Groups, etc) seem to have failed me (not unheard of).
Using VS.NET 2003 Pro, I have a multi file project consisting of several
class definitions, each in its own file) from which I wish to instantiate
objects and test the classes in a simple console application with Main(),
contained in a separate file. As long as the file with Main() is in the
project, all is well and I can build/rebuild the project, thus recompiling
the code in all files as needed.
Now, I wish to remove with Main() and just recompile the other files
selectively as needed. When I do that, C# immediately complains that there
is no entry point. So, from C++ experience, I tried adding the Compile
button to the Build toolbar. No go, as the button appears, but is inactive.
I would like to be able to make these classes available to students without
revealing the source code, sort of like giving C++ developers the .h file,
but not the implementing companion .cpp.
So, the question is: is there a way to just compile C# from within the IDE,
or must I resort to using the command line for this activity? Once
accomplished, how do I expose the interface only? Further, is it possible
that what I want to do is inappropriate to the C# development model?

Compiling just *parts* of a project does sound somewhat odd. If you
just want to compile a project which doesn't have a Main, and give it
to them as a DLL, you just need to change the project type to a Class
Library.

--
Jon Skeet - <sk***@pobox.com>
http://www.pobox.com/~skeet
If replying to the group, please do not mail me too

[Peter van der Goes]

"Jon Skeet" <sk***@pobox.com> wrote in message
news:MP************************@news.microsoft.com ...

Compiling just *parts* of a project does sound somewhat odd. If you
just want to compile a project which doesn't have a Main, and give it
to them as a DLL, you just need to change the project type to a Class
Library.

--
Jon Skeet - <sk***@pobox.com>
http://www.pobox.com/~skeet
If replying to the group, please do not mail me too

Thanks very much, Arild and Jon. I appreciate the helpful answer sans
sarcasm :-)
Obviously, I should have seen that.