This extension allows acquisition of the .NET runtime specifically for Visual Studio Code extension authors. This tool is intended to be leveraged in extensions that are written in .NET and require .NET to boot pieces of the extension (e.g. a language server). The extension is not intended to be used directly by users to install .NET for development.
Prior to the release of this extension, extension authors had no way of knowing if the .NET runtime was installed on their target machines. Other solutions had a number of challenges:
- Duplication of .NET runtimes and slow updates: Each extension was acquiring its own copy of .NET at ~30mb each.
- Clean up: When extensions installed .NET in a non-VSCode folder location it was likely to be left behind.
- Servicing and floating versions: It was difficult to ensure that extensions would use the latest releases, particuarly without re-shipping.
- Corrupted installations: Corrupted installations could arise when VS Code was shut down mid-download or unzip.
- Network security policies: Alternative installation methods could have resulted in errors due to blocking from network security policies.
- Locked down environments: Some developers are unable to freely install software, requiring the ability to install extensions manually via a VSIX.
- Missing dependencies: Users may run into situations where .NET cannot run as-is, requiring the installation of missing pieces.
This extension attempts to solve the above issues.
.NET for VSCode is a .NET Foundation project.
See the .NET home repo to find other .NET-related projects.
.NET Core (including this repo) is licensed under the MIT license.