Compiling Only the .NET Core Version of a Multi-TFM Project: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you tired of dealing with the complexities of multi-TFM (Target Framework Moniker) projects? Do you want to focus solely on compiling the .NET Core version of your project? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of compiling only the .NET Core version of a multi-TFM project.

What is a Multi-TFM Project?

A multi-TFM project is a type of .NET project that targets multiple frameworks, such as .NET Framework, .NET Core, and Xamarin. This allows developers to share code across different platforms and frameworks. While this can be beneficial, it can also lead to complexities during compilation.

Why Compile Only the .NET Core Version?

Compiling only the .NET Core version of a multi-TFM project can be beneficial in several scenarios:

• Faster compilation times: By focusing on a single framework, you can reduce compilation times and improve development efficiency.
• Simplified dependencies: .NET Core has a more streamlined set of dependencies compared to other frameworks, making it easier to manage and maintain.
• Improved performance: .NET Core is optimized for performance, making it an excellent choice for high-performance applications.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the instructions, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

• A multi-TFM project created in Visual Studio or your preferred IDE
• .NET Core SDK installed on your machine
• Familiarity with the command line or terminal

Step 1: Identify the .NET Core TFM

The first step is to identify the .NET Core TFM in your project file (.csproj or .vbproj). Open your project file in a text editor and look for the following lines:

<TargetFramework>netcoreapp3.1</TargetFramework>
<TargetFramework>net472</TargetFramework>
<TargetFramework>Xamarin.Android</TargetFramework>

In this example, the .NET Core TFM is netcoreapp3.1. Take note of this value, as we’ll use it later.

Step 2: Create a New Configuration

Create a new configuration in your project that will be used to compile only the .NET Core version. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open your project in Visual Studio and right-click on the project in the Solution Explorer.
2. Select “Configuration Manager” from the context menu.
3. In the Configuration Manager dialog, click on the “Active solution configuration” dropdown and select “New”.
4. In the “New Solution Configuration” dialog, enter a name for your new configuration (e.g., “NetCoreOnly”).
5. Click “Close” to close the dialog.

Step 3: Update the Project File

Now, we need to update the project file to use the new configuration and target only the .NET Core framework. Open your project file in a text editor and add the following lines:

<PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'NetCoreOnly|AnyCPU'">
  <TargetFramework>netcoreapp3.1</TargetFramework>
  <OutputPath>bin\NetCoreOnly\</OutputPath>
</PropertyGroup>

In this example, we’re telling the project to use the netcoreapp3.1 TFM and output the compiled assembly to the bin\NetCoreOnly directory when the “NetCoreOnly” configuration is active.

Step 4: Compile the Project

Now that we’ve updated the project file, we can compile the project using the new configuration. Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to the project directory.

Compile the project using the following command:

dotnet build -c NetCoreOnly

This command tells the dotnet CLI to build the project using the “NetCoreOnly” configuration. The resulting assembly will be output to the bin\NetCoreOnly directory.

Step 5: Verify the Compilation

Verify that the project has been compiled successfully by checking the output directory. You should see the compiled assembly and any dependent files in the bin\NetCoreOnly directory.

You can also use the following command to verify the compilation:

dotnet --list-runtimes

This command lists all the frameworks and runtimes installed on your machine. Look for the .NET Core runtime (e.g., Microsoft.NETCore.App 3.1.0) to verify that the compilation was successful.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

During the compilation process, you may encounter some common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Error Message	Solution
Error NETSDK1045: The current .NET SDK does not support targeting .NET Core 3.1.	Update your .NET Core SDK to the latest version.
Error MSB4057: The target “_NETCoreApp” is not supported by this SDK.	Check that you have the correct .NET Core TFM in your project file.
Error CS0246: The type or namespace name ‘System’ could not be found.	Verify that the .NET Core framework is installed on your machine and that the project is targeting the correct framework.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve walked through the process of compiling only the .NET Core version of a multi-TFM project. By following these steps, you can focus on developing and compiling your .NET Core application without the complexities of multi-TFM projects.

Remember to update your project file, create a new configuration, and compile the project using the dotnet CLI. If you encounter any issues, refer to the troubleshooting tips provided in this article.

Happy coding!

Note: This article is SEO optimized for the keyword “Compiling only the .NET core version of a multi TFM project”. The article is written in a creative tone and formatted using various HTML tags to improve readability and comprehension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about compiling only the .NET Core version of a multi TFM project? We’ve got answers!