How to Run C# in VS Code: Setup and Comparison

To run C# in VS Code, install the .NET SDK and the C# extension from Microsoft. Then create a new project using dotnet new console, open it in VS Code, and run it with dotnet run in the terminal.

Quick Comparison

Here is a quick comparison between running C# in VS Code and Visual Studio IDE.

Feature	VS Code	Visual Studio IDE
Setup	Install .NET SDK + C# extension	Install Visual Studio with .NET workload
Project Creation	Use terminal commands (dotnet CLI)	Use GUI project templates
Debugging	Supported with extension, manual setup	Built-in, rich debugging tools
IntelliSense	Provided by C# extension	Advanced, built-in IntelliSense
Performance	Lightweight editor, faster startup	Full IDE, more resource usage
Platform Support	Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)	Primarily Windows, some macOS support

Key Differences

Running C# in VS Code relies on the .NET SDK and the C# extension to provide language support and debugging. You use the dotnet command-line interface (CLI) to create, build, and run projects. This approach is lightweight and flexible, ideal for quick edits or cross-platform development.

In contrast, Visual Studio IDE offers a full graphical interface with integrated project templates, debugging, and advanced IntelliSense. It is more resource-heavy but provides a smoother experience for large projects and Windows-centric development. VS Code requires some manual setup for debugging and project management, while Visual Studio automates many tasks.

Overall, VS Code is great for developers who want a fast, customizable editor and are comfortable with command-line tools, whereas Visual Studio IDE suits those who prefer a full-featured environment with rich GUI tools.

Code Comparison

Here is how you create and run a simple C# console app in VS Code using the terminal.

bash

dotnet new console -o HelloWorld
cd HelloWorld
dotnet run

Output

Hello, World!

Visual Studio IDE Equivalent

In Visual Studio IDE, you create a new Console App project via the GUI and run it with the Start button.

csharp

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Hello, World!");
    }
}

Output

Hello, World!

When to Use Which

Choose VS Code when you want a lightweight, cross-platform editor and prefer using command-line tools for flexibility. It is ideal for quick edits, learning, or working on smaller projects.

Choose Visual Studio IDE when you need a full-featured environment with advanced debugging, GUI project management, and rich IntelliSense, especially for large or Windows-specific projects.

Key Takeaways

Install .NET SDK and C# extension to run C# in VS Code.

Use dotnet CLI commands to create and run projects in VS Code.

VS Code is lightweight and cross-platform; Visual Studio IDE is full-featured and Windows-focused.

VS Code requires more manual setup; Visual Studio automates many tasks.

Choose VS Code for flexibility and speed; choose Visual Studio for advanced tools.