C# - Scripts

In C#, scripts are typically associated with the creation of standalone programs or command-line utilities, rather than being embedded into applications as in some scripting languages. C# scripts are often used for quick tasks, prototyping, and automation. They can be written and executed using various tools and environments.

C# Script Basics

C# scripts are usually written in files with the .csx extension and are executed using the .NET Core CLI or through tools like Visual Studio Code with the C# extension.

Example of a Basic C# Script:

Create a file named script.csx:

csharp
// script.csx
using System;

Console.WriteLine("Hello, C# Script!");

You can execute this script using the .NET Core CLI:

bash
dotnet script script.csx

Key Tools for Running C# Scripts

.NET Core CLI
- dotnet-script: A tool that allows you to run C# scripts directly from the command line.
- Installation:
```
bash
dotnet tool install -g dotnet-script
```
- Running a Script:
```
bash
dotnet script script.csx
```
Visual Studio Code
- With the C# extension and the C# Interactive extension, you can run C# scripts directly within the editor.
- Open your .csx file in VS Code and use the integrated terminal or commands to execute it.
Visual Studio
- C# Interactive: This is a REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) environment for running C# code snippets. You can find it in Visual Studio under View -> Other Windows -> C# Interactive.

Features of C# Scripts

Interactive Execution: C# scripts can be executed line-by-line or as a whole, which is useful for quick experimentation and testing.
Dynamic Compilation: Scripts are compiled dynamically at runtime, which simplifies the development process by eliminating the need for a separate compilation step.
Reference Libraries: You can add references to assemblies and NuGet packages in your scripts using #r and #load directives.

Adding References:

csharp
// Adding a reference to a NuGet package
#r "nuget: Newtonsoft.Json, 13.0.1"

using Newtonsoft.Json;

var obj = new { Name = "John", Age = 30 };
string json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(obj);
Console.WriteLine(json);

Using Scripts in .NET Interactive

.NET Interactive supports running C# scripts and provides an interactive experience similar to Jupyter Notebooks. It can be used in Visual Studio Code, Jupyter Notebooks, and other environments.

Example in a Jupyter Notebook:

csharp
// Using .NET Interactive in a Jupyter Notebook cell
Console.WriteLine("Hello from .NET Interactive!");

Common Use Cases for C# Scripts

Automation: Automating repetitive tasks such as file processing, data extraction, or system configuration.
Prototyping: Quickly testing new ideas or code snippets without setting up a full project.
Educational: Teaching and learning C# programming concepts in an interactive environment.
Command-line Tools: Writing simple command-line utilities that don’t require a full-fledged application.

Summary

C# scripts provide a flexible way to execute C# code for various tasks, from simple automation to rapid prototyping. They can be run using the .NET Core CLI with dotnet-script, within Visual Studio Code, or through Visual Studio’s interactive tools. This scripting capability enhances the versatility and productivity of C# in different development scenarios.

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