C# interactive window won't reference my code

Question

In Visual Studio 2017 I am trying to run some code in the c# Interactive Window. This works for very simple cases (e.g. using System) However, when I try and reference slightly more obscure libraries it fails

using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Cryptography.KeyDerivation;

(1,17): error CS0234: The type or namespace name 'AspNetCore' does not exist in the namespace 'Microsoft' (are you missing an assembly reference?)

This is a dot net core 2.0 project, and it has been suggested that I can right click on the project and select "Initialize Interactive with Project", however this option does not appear for me on either the project or solution.

I need to know how to add references to code libraries for the interactive window.

Does this answer your question? Can the C# interactive window interact with my code? — StayOnTarget
– StayOnTarget, Commented Jul 11, 2022 at 20:04

techExplorer · Accepted Answer · 2020-01-30 12:13:19Z

12

Open Interactive window by navigating to "Views > Other Windows > C# Interactive"
Right click your project and select "Initialize Interactive with Project"

answered Jan 30, 2020 at 12:13

techExplorer

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1 Comment

gordy Over a year ago

this option is missing for core and even .net standard assemblies, the workaround from this answer helped me stackoverflow.com/a/56051613

mjwills · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-13 13:31:36Z

11

You need to add a reference to any 'more obscure' libraries that you plan to use.

#r is used to reference assemblies. Below are some examples:

#r "path/MyAssembly.dll" #r "MicrosoftLibrary", e.g., #r "System.Collections.Generic" Note: The Interactive Window doesn't currently support #r'ing NuGet packages. As a temporary workaround, reference the NuGet DLL.

answered Sep 13, 2017 at 13:31

mjwills

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2 Comments

jazza1000 Over a year ago

Thanks, took a while to figure out that the dlls were in my C:\Users folder, but that did the trick

Vimes Over a year ago

It threw me for a loop that the quotes are always required.

Anirudha Gupta · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-13 13:32:36Z

4

You can write this

#r "Microsoft.AspNetCore.Cryptography.KeyDerivation"

VS will be registered it, if it will found it in GAC. If you have DLL somewhere on your disk. pass the path instead of string and it will registered it.

If you have the reference registered in your project you can just right click and there is a option to use c# interactive with current project.

answered Sep 13, 2017 at 13:32

Anirudha Gupta

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1 Comment

jazza1000 Over a year ago

Yes for me when I right click I don't get the option to use c# interactive. I'm not sure if that is because I am using .net core though

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