How do I allow my .net program to compile C# code while running?

Question

I've seen a couple .net applications that allow you to select a C# .cs source file and the program itself will compile this code and run it.

How is this done?

Answer 1

It probably uses the CSharpCodeProvider class in the Microsoft.CSharp namespace. You would want to look at the following methods to compile code:

CompileAssemblyFromDom
CompileAssemblyFromFile
CompileAssemblyFromSource

Answer 2

My guess is by explicitly calling the csc.exe compiler. Keep in mind that this and any dependencies would have to be included with your deployment.

You can take a look at CS-Script which interprets C# files. Its free but not open sources though...

Answer 3

MSDN has a great series of articles explaining this...

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/650ax5cx.aspx

Answer 4

CodeDOM is your friend