Visual Studio Code compile error - launch.json must be configured

Question

I am trying to compile c# code on windows 7 using visual studio code. I have all the extensions downloaded but am getting this error:

launch: program 'launch: launch.json must be configured. Change 'program' to the path to the executable file that you would like to debug.

I can not figure out how to fix it. This is the line which I believe needs to be changed in the launch.json file, this is what is currently there:

"program": "${workspaceRoot}/bin/Debug/netcoreapp1.0/exam 1.dll"

(exam 1 because that is the name of my .cs file containing my C# code)

When I go into the folder where my .cs file is, this is the whole path:

• "C:\Users\Kdrumz\Desktop\ObjectOriented\exam 1.cs".

I am very confused. Also, will I always have to do this when using visual studio code? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Using version 1.7.1 of visual studio code

Answer 1

I fixed it by replacing all the "<>"-styled values in launch.jsonlike this (the project is named 'sample01' in my case):

{
    "version": "0.2.0",
    "configurations": [
        {
            "name": ".NET Core Launch (console)",
            "type": "coreclr",
            "request": "launch",
            "preLaunchTask": "build",
            "program": "${workspaceRoot}/bin/Debug/netcoreapp1.0/sample01.dll",
            "args": [],
            "cwd": "${workspaceRoot}",
            "stopAtEntry": false,
            "externalConsole": false
        }
    }
}

As you can see, I only use 1 configuration which is named ".NET Core Launch (console)". This name can be changed and you'll see it when you click on the debug-menu on the far left (the one with the bug-symbol) and take a look at the very top.

Now I entered the complete path of my build-config (which is .NET Core 1.0 in my sample) and it works.

So yes, you would have to do it manually if it is preconfigured with "<>"-elements. If you use dotnet new and then code . to bring up new projects the newer versions of Visual Studio Code will create ready-to-run launch.json now.