Installing a .NetStandard 2.0 Nuget package into a VS2015 Net 4.6.1 project

Question

I'm trying to install a Nuget package that targets .NetStandard 2.0 (Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions) into a Net 4.6.1 project in Visual Studio 2015. However, while Frameworks should be compatible, it doesn't quite work:

Install-Package : Could not install package 'Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions 2.0.0'. You are trying to 
install this package into a project that targets '.NETFramework,Version=v4.6.1', but the package does not contain 
any assembly references or content files that are compatible with that framework. For more information, contact 
the package author.
At line:1 char:1
+ Install-Package Microsoft.Extensions.Logging.Abstractions

I've followed the steps outlined here: Entity Framework Core 2.0 on .NET 4.6.1

So I have installed package "NETStandard.Library.NETFramework", and added

<PropertyGroup>
  <PackageTargetFallback>netstandard2.0</PackageTargetFallback>
</PropertyGroup>

to the csproj. But, no luck there - still the same issue.

Is there any way to install a NetStandard 2.0 package into my project (without upgrading VS or installing any Net Core targeting packs or such)?

Thanks

Answer 1

Referencing .NET Standard 2.0 packages is supported using the following:

• NuGet 3.6.0 or higher for VS 2015 (from NuGet's download site - may not yet be listed as recommended latest)
• Install the ".NET Standard Support for Visual Studio 2015" from https://aka.ms/netstandard-build-support-netfx (NuGet in VS will also print a link to this in its output window).

There are a still few bugs when consuming .NET Standard 2.0 libraries, especially when mixing .NET Standard < 2.0 and 2.0 libraries but these updates give basic support.

Answer 2

Is there any way to install a NetStandard 2.0 package into my project (without upgrading VS or installing any Net Core targeting packs or such)?

I am afraid not. Just like Jon pointed out that the reason for that issue is that you are using Visual Studio 2015.

According to the .NET Standard, .NET Standard 2.0 support .NET Framework 4.6.1 (with .NET Core 2.0 SDK):

So we need install .NET Core 2.0 SDK. And every communication from Microsoft about the preview of .NET Core 2.0 mentions Visual Studio 2017, so I think it's highly recommanded to use Visual Studio 2017 to work with .NET Core 2.0.

Besides, the NuGet package NETStandard.Library.NETFramework is deprecated.

So install a .NetStandard 2.0 Nuget package into a Net 4.6.1 project, I highly recommanded to use Visual Studio 2017 to work with .NET Core 2.0.

Hope this helps.