Introduction to the .NET CLI

The .NET Command-Line Interface (CLI) is a cross-platform toolchain that enables you to develop, build, test, and deploy .NET applications. It's an essential tool for any .NET developer, especially when working with .NET Core and integrating with cloud platforms like Azure.

What is the .NET CLI?

The .NET CLI is a set of commands that allow you to interact with the .NET SDK. It provides a consistent way to manage your projects and applications across different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux). This includes creating new projects, restoring dependencies, building code, running applications, and publishing them for deployment.

The .NET CLI is your primary tool for managing .NET projects from the command line.

It simplifies common development tasks like creating, building, and running applications, making your workflow more efficient.

The .NET CLI is part of the .NET SDK. When you install the .NET SDK, you get access to commands like dotnet new, dotnet build, dotnet run, and dotnet publish. These commands abstract away complex build processes and provide a standardized interface for developers. This is particularly powerful for automation and scripting, which are crucial for CI/CD pipelines and cloud deployments.

Key .NET CLI Commands

Let's explore some of the most fundamental .NET CLI commands you'll use regularly.

Command	Description	Example Usage
`dotnet new`	Creates a new .NET project or solution from a template.	`dotnet new console -o MyConsoleApp`
`dotnet restore`	Restores the dependencies for a project.	`dotnet restore`
`dotnet build`	Builds a .NET project.	`dotnet build`
`dotnet run`	Runs a .NET application.	`dotnet run`
`dotnet publish`	Publishes a .NET application for deployment.	`dotnet publish -c Release`
`dotnet test`	Runs unit tests in a project.	`dotnet test`

Creating a New Project with the CLI

The

code

dotnet new

command is your starting point for any new .NET project. You can create various project types, such as console applications, web APIs, class libraries, and more, by specifying a template.

What command do you use to create a new .NET console application named 'MyConsoleApp'?

dotnet new console -o MyConsoleApp

Building and Running Applications

Once your project is created, you'll use

code

dotnet build

to compile your code and

code

dotnet run

to execute it. These commands are fundamental to the development cycle.

The .NET CLI orchestrates the build process. When you run dotnet build, the SDK invokes the compiler (Roslyn for C#) to transform your source code into Intermediate Language (IL) assemblies. These assemblies are then packaged into a deployable format. The dotnet run command, on the other hand, compiles the project if necessary and then executes the compiled output, often starting with the Program.Main method.

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Publishing for Deployment

The

code

dotnet publish

command is crucial for preparing your application for deployment. It creates a self-contained or framework-dependent deployment package. For Azure integration, publishing a self-contained application often simplifies deployment as it includes the .NET runtime.

Consider using dotnet publish -c Release for optimized performance in production environments.

Integration with Azure

The .NET CLI is instrumental in deploying .NET applications to Azure services like Azure App Service, Azure Functions, and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). You can use CLI commands to package your application and then deploy it using Azure CLI (

code

az

) commands or directly through Visual Studio Code extensions.

Which .NET CLI command is used to prepare an application for deployment?

dotnet publish

Learning Resources

.NET CLI Overview(documentation)

Official Microsoft documentation providing a comprehensive overview of the .NET CLI, its commands, and usage.

Get started with .NET Core CLI(tutorial)

A step-by-step tutorial guiding you through the basic commands of the .NET CLI for creating and managing projects.

Introduction to .NET CLI(video)

A video tutorial explaining the core concepts and benefits of using the .NET CLI for .NET development.

Mastering the .NET CLI(blog)

A blog post offering practical tips and advanced usage scenarios for the .NET CLI.

dotnet new command reference(documentation)

Detailed reference for the `dotnet new` command, including available templates and options.

dotnet publish command reference(documentation)

In-depth documentation on the `dotnet publish` command, covering deployment strategies and options.

Azure CLI Overview(documentation)

Introduction to the Azure CLI, the command-line tool for managing Azure resources, which complements the .NET CLI for cloud deployments.

Deploying .NET Apps to Azure App Service(tutorial)

A tutorial showing how to deploy a .NET application to Azure App Service, often using the .NET CLI.

.NET CLI Cheat Sheet(blog)

A handy cheat sheet summarizing common .NET CLI commands for quick reference.

The .NET SDK(documentation)

The official download page for the .NET SDK, which includes the .NET CLI.