Running Windows Service Application without installing it

Question

Whem I'm writing a Windows Service and just hit F5 I get the error message that I have to install it using installutil.exe and then run it. In practice this means everytime I change a line of code:

1. compile
2. switch to Developer Command Prompt
3. remove old version
4. install new version
5. start service

That is very inconvenient. Is there a better way to do it?

Answer 1

You can write this code in program.cs

//if not in Debug
ServiceBase[] ServicesToRun;
ServicesToRun = new ServiceBase[] 
{ 
   new MyService() 
};
ServiceBase.Run(ServicesToRun);

//if debug mode
MyService service = new MyService();
service.OnDebug();
System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(System.Threading.Timeout.Infinite);

in MyService class

public void OnDebug()
{
   OnStart(null);
}

Answer 2

The best way in my opinion is to use Debug directive. Below is an example for the same.

#if(!DEBUG)
    ServiceBase[] ServicesToRun;
    ServicesToRun = new ServiceBase[] 
    { 
         // Calling MyService Constructor 
            new MyService() 
    };
     ServiceBase.Run(ServicesToRun);
#else
  MyService serviceCall = new MyService();
  serviceCall.YourMethodContainingLogic();
#endif

Hit F5 And set a Breakpoint on your YourMethodContainingLogic Method to debug it.