How to write, compile and run C# for free (in Windows)

Question

Is it possible to use C# for free? Which tools would you use?

1. For fun/studying: I'm pretty sure you can, but still, the tools question remains.
2. For programs you wish to sell?

The tools I'm looking for:

1. IDE (as complete as possible: debugging, refactoring, libraries, IntelliSense etc.) - also, if it's not included in the IDE, compiler.
2. Unit Testing,
3. Documenting (extracting comments as with JavaDoc),
4. Deploying.

Other suggestions for nice free tools are also welcome.

Note that IMO, Visual Studio Express is NOT offering all these tools.

Answer 1

IDEs:

• Visual Studio 2017 Community. It has a subset of Professional Edition's features, but all that you have mentioned. You may want to Compare Visual Studio 2017 Editions. High school and university students are eligible for free licence of VS Professional from Dreamspark.

• Sharp Develop

• Mono Develop

standalone compiler:

• csc.exe, vbc.exe and msbuild.exe are a part of .NET Framework. Windows SDK tools is also free. Or you can use compiler from Mono project.

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Unit Testing:

• NUnit, mbUnit, xUnit and many, many others.

Documenting: (extracting comments JavaDoc-style)

• GhostDoc - not for Express Edition

Deploying:

• NAnt, Cruse Control .NET