How to compile C# files using csc.exe from .NET Framework

[ForumHelper]

In order to compile your C# files without using software like SharpDevelop or MonoDevelop on Windows, you can use csc.exe, which stands for C# compiler. It is provided with every installation of .NET Framework.

All you have to do is right click on 'My Computer' -> 'Properties' -> 'Advanced' -> 'Environment Variables' -> find 'Path' in system variables and add ';%systemroot%\Microsoft.NET\Frameworkv3.5' there, without ''. v3.5 is the .NET version, you can change it to any you have.

Now, in order to compile your .cs file(which you can create in notepad for example, remember to save it with .cs extension), click on 'Start'->'Run'->'cmd'. Remember to copy UnityEngine.dll and Assembly-CSharp.dll from KSP's folder(found in \KSP\KSP_Data\Managed) to the folder with your .cs file.

Next, navigate to your .cs file by using 'cd' command(for ex. cd c:\CSharp) and type:

'csc /r:UnityEngine.dll /r:Assembly-CSharp.dll /t:library /out:myfile.dll filename.cs'

'myfile.dll' is the name of your compiled .dll and 'filename.cs' is your C# code.

You'll find your .dll in the same folder as 'filename.cs'.

Enjoy!

Edited October 14, 2012 by ForumHelper

[blspblackdeath]

Thanks you helped me a lot.

[ForumHelper]

Because you've actually spent time searching for this, I'm going to edit it and make it readable again:)

[6677]

I was wondering why csc.exe didnt work on my system, too late though as I just bundled everything into a visual studio solution instead which is the IDE I like to use anyway so did the job fine

[Echo 8 ÉRÀ]

Personally, if I were to be building my stuff on the command line, I would just write a batch file like this:

SETLOCAL

REM -- Naturally, change these paths to match your setup.
SET KSPData=E:\Program Files\KSP\KSP_Data\Managed
SET CompilerDir=C:\Windows\Microsoft.Net\Framework\v4.0.30319

REM -- If the source file has a space in its filename, surround the filename with double quotes.
SET SourceFiles={Source File 1} {Source File 2} {etc.}

REM -- Note the references to System.dll, System.Core.dll and mscorlib.dll that exist in your KSP folder. The /nostdlib
REM -- and /noconfig flags stop the compiler from adding references to these automatically. If you didn't do that, the
REM -- compiler would link in the .Net 4.0 version of DLLs and KSP doesn't like those.
SET References="/r:%KSPData%\Assembly-CSharp.dll" "/r:%KSPData%\UnityEngine.dll" "/r:%KSPData%\mscorlib.dll" "/r:%KSPData%\System.dll" "/r:%KSPData%\System.Core.dll"

REM -- Change MyPlugin.dll to whatever you want your DLL to be named.
"%CompilerDir%\csc" /t:library /out:MyPlugin.dll /o /nostdlib /noconfig %References% %SourceFiles%

[The Tempest]

So I'm trying to edit a mod that has a source folder with a bunch of .cs files. I only need to edit little bit of one of those files though. How do I go about compiling a new .dll from this source folder with multiple .cs files?

[6677]

You can combine the files into one if you wish. Or I prefer to use visual studio

[astronutkhillips]

Just add the other .cs files to the command line:

csc /r:UnityEngine.dll /r:Assembly-CSharp.dll /t:library /out:myfile.dll filename.cs otherfile.cs someotherfile.cs

But, yes, use visual studio express. It is a lot easier.

[Fel]

Just add the other .cs files to the command line:

csc /r:UnityEngine.dll /r:Assembly-CSharp.dll /t:library /out:myfile.dll filename.cs otherfile.cs someotherfile.cs

But, yes, use visual studio express. It is a lot easier.

*.cs usually works as well