csc

Compile one or more C# files to a CIL executable

$ csc [path/to/input_file1.cs path/to/input_file2.cs ...]

$ csc /out:[path/to/file] [path/to/input_file.cs]

$ csc /target:library [path/to/input_file.cs]

$ csc /reference:[path/to/library.dll] [path/to/input_file.cs]

$ csc /resource:[path/to/resource_file] [path/to/input_file.cs]

$ csc /doc:[path/to/output.xml] [path/to/input_file.cs]

$ csc /win32icon:[path/to/icon.ico] [path/to/input_file.cs]

$ csc /keyfile:[path/to/keyfile] [path/to/input_file.cs]

csc [-option...] source-files

-out:
    Name of output file or assembly

-target:
    Target type: exe, winexe, library, module, winmdobj

-reference: or -r:
    Reference metadata from assemblies

-debug[+|-]
    Emit debugging information

-optimize[+|-] or -o[+|-]
    Enable optimizations

-define:
    Define conditional compilation symbols

-unsafe[+|-]
    Allow unsafe code blocks

-platform:
    Target platform: anycpu, anycpu32bitpreferred, x86, x64, arm, arm64

-warn:
    Set warning level (0-4)

-recurse:
    Recursively include source files matching pattern

csc is the official command-line compiler for the C# programming language in the .NET ecosystem. It translates C# source files (.cs) into executable assemblies (.exe or .dll), modules, or other targets. On Linux, it is available via the Mono framework or the .NET SDK (formerly .NET Core).

Primarily used for compiling single files or small projects, csc supports advanced features like optimization, debugging symbols, assembly references, conditional compilation, and unsafe code. It emits Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL) code, which is JIT-compiled at runtime by the .NET runtime.

Basic usage: csc hello.cs produces hello.exe. For libraries: csc -target:library -out:mylib.dll *.cs. It integrates with build tools like MSBuild but is ideal for quick compilations or scripts.

Options mimic Windows behavior for cross-platform consistency. Always consult man csc or Microsoft docs for full details, as options evolve with .NET versions. Requires dotnet-sdk or Mono installed.

Not installed by default; install via dotnet-sdk or Mono. Prefer dotnet build for complex projects. Hundreds of options exist—use man csc or csc -help. Version-specific behaviors apply.

Use @filename to read options from a text file, useful for long argument lists.
Example: csc @build.rsp hello.cs

-resource:[[,identifier][,private][,access]] embeds files as resources in assembly.

Developed by Microsoft in 2001 for .NET Framework. Ported to Linux by Mono project (2004) for cross-platform use. Official Linux support via .NET Core 1.0 (2016), now .NET 8+ with improved performance and AOT compilation.

mcs(1), dotnet(1), msbuild(1), csc(1)