Snippet Compiler - Write and test snippets of code outside of VS without saving

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[Via VSData Team Blog]

One of the things people like about VS2005 is that you can create projects and not save them until you hit, er, File/Save. Keeps you from getting those WindowsApplication1 thru WindowsApplication5999 directories. Anyway, via Rick Strahl's weblog, here's what looks like a cool tool that lets you quickly test small apps without having to save the code.

From the homepage: https://www.sliver.com/dotnet/SnippetCompiler/

If you're like me, you probably have hundreds of Visual Studio solutions that consist of a few lines of code to test out something outside the scope of whatever you're currently working on. Of course there's nothing wrong with that, but the time it takes to launch a new VS.NET, create the project and so on is just unnecessary. Today one of the voices in my head said that it's easy enough to compile code using the framework, so why not do something about it, so I wrote this little thing. (It then told me to eat lunch, which I dutifully did.) Snippet Compiler leads a simple life. Here are its features:

  • Compiles and runs single or multiple C#, VB.NET and ASP.NET snippets.
  • Optionally builds WinForm EXEs, console EXEs or DLLs.
  • The user can store a library of templates
  • Displays compile errors and warning, including wave lines in editor with error/warning tooltips.
  • IntelliSense for static members and method signatures, as well as constructor signatures.
  • Imports VS.NET projects.
  • Conveniently sits in the notification area waiting to be useful.
  • Exports snippets to HTML/RTF.

 Snippet Compiler Pic

Enjoy - Josh