How do I start a second console application in Visual Studio when one is already running

Question

Hi All,

I am working through some examples in a WCF book. There is a Host project and Client project within a single solution. Both are console applications. The Host is the startup app, but the Client app doesn't seem to open the Console like the book says. Book says while the Host is running, run the Client. The Run button is disabled tho as it is already running. The book example definitely has them in the same solution and a single instance of Visual Studio. Anyways, what am I missing here? I have done this with two instances of VS, but I truly have never does this in a single instance. Any help is always appreciated.

Cheers, ~ck in San Diego

Answer 1

Right-Click on the host project in solution explorer then go to debug -> start new instance.

Once it is running you can do the same thing to start the client project, or, you can press F5 like normal if the client project is the startup project.

Answer 2

You can also make both console apps start at once when you debug.

In Solution Explorer, right-click the solution, and select Properties. In the left pane, select Common Properties | Startup Project. Then, on the right, select "Multiple Startup Projects". You can set any number of your projects to start - with our without debugging.