What do I need for a Windows C# quickstart?

Question

What bits and pieces do I need to be able to compile and run a simple Windows console application written in C#? Does the version of Windows matter?

Answer 1

You need

1. A C# compiler to compile the application
2. The .NET Framework to execute the application

A C# compiler comes with the free (as in beer) Visual C# Express Edition. A command-line C# compiler (csc.exe) is included in every .NET Framework installation.

The .NET Framework is included in different versions in recent versions of Windows. See: What version of the .NET Framework is included in what version of the OS?

More recent versions of the .NET Framework can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft website.

The .NET Framework version needs to match the version the application was compiled against.

Answer 2

1) A C# softwar development kit (SDK) that will include a compiler, a runtime , and libraries. The two main options on windows are:
a) .NET sdk from Microsoft...free as in beer , only for windows
b) Mono sdk from Novell ( open source ) ... free both as in free beer and as in freedom and works on windows, linux, mac..

2) A C# Integrated Development Enviroment (IDE) if you want to develop quickly and painlessly. Here you have at least four options
a) Visual C# Express edition ... from microsoft, only works with .NET and only on windows ... free as in beer
b) Monodevelop ... works both with .NET and Mono and also has versions for windows, linux, mac .. free as as in beer , free as in freedom
c) SharpDevelop .... only windows because only works on top of .NET
d) QuickSharp... only windows because only works on top of .NET

3) Documentation C# language specification, MSDN (most extensive resource) and infinite number of books and articles

Note: Each SDK and IDE download page will mention the Windows version requirements for development. So yes windows version matters. Not only that but the SDK and IDE version also matters because C# is under active development and latest C# feature wont work with older tools.