Is it possible to create simple programs in C# using VS2010 Express?

Question

I am in the process of learning C#. I downloaded and installed Visual Studio 2010 Express with C#. The problem is it has all these templates that are a little overwhelming at the moment: ASP.NET website, Library, WCF, etc.

I just want to code something very simple that takes input from the Console and outputs to it. I am making do with WCF but that's really inconvenient. It is faster for me to load up ideone.com, type my code there and compile than doing it from own my machine.

Is it even possible to create simple programs like that in C# using VS2010 Express?

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Thanks everyone who answered. I installed Visual C# and now I can create console applications. But now the command window closes immediately after it's done doing whatever it's doing. Can I have it output to the IDE like I would with Java on Eclipse or Netbeans?

Answer 1

You can create simple apps by choosing Windows Application (if you want a GUI) or Console Application (if you just want to take input from console as you describe in the question) as project types.

Answer 2

Visual Studio can be extremely overwhelming. What you should remember is that it's a tool for professionals, ultimately. However, if you want to make a Console app, it's quite simple.

1. Open Visual Studio
2. File
3. New
4. Project
5. Other Languages
6. Visual C#
7. Windows
8. Console Application

Done.

Answer 3

Yes, Visual Studio Express is a very good free tool for creating applications. Of course it doesn't have all of the features of Visual Studio, but I use it at home for several reasons.

Answer 4

Regarding the question of the console window immediately closing, the quick-and-simple fix for this is to have

Console.ReadLine();

at the end of program execution -- it'll do all it needs to do, then wait for (any) keyboard input before closing the window.

Answer 5

"But now the command window closes immediately after it's done doing whatever it's doing. Can I have it output to the IDE like I would with Java on Eclipse or Netbeans?"

Try running without debug mode (Ctrl+F5 or Shift+F5 or some other binding depending on your keyboard setting). The program will wait for you to press a key to exit.

If you want to output it to the IDE, you could use System.Diagnostics.Trace.Write, which writes to the trace output in the bottom on the IDE. I do not believe there is a built in stdout view in Visual Studio... but it seems like a great idea for a feature...

Are you there, Microsoft?

Answer 6

What you want is the "Console Project" template