Getting Started with C# and .NET Core: Build a Web and Console App Using VS Code

Introduction:

C# is a powerful, modern programming language developed by Microsoft, widely used for building web applications, desktop software, cloud services, and more. In this guide, we will walk through creating both a console application and a web application using .NET Core and Visual Studio Code.

By the end of this tutorial, you will:

• Set up your development environment with .NET Core and VS Code
• Begin the setup of a web application using ASP.NET Core
• Create a simple C# console application using AI generated code

Prerequisites:

• Install .NET SDK from here or through VS code using this extension

• Download and install Visual Studio Code from code.visualstudio.com
  Let's dive in!

• In your local machine, create a folder where we will make these apps. Open the terminal, VS code terminal or powershell and navigate to this folder

• In the command line, enter:
  

dotnet --version

You should get a response similar to below. If get an error, you need to verify that .NET is properly installed and set up on your local machine

Creating and Running the Web App

• Open the folder in VS code. Navigate to the terminal. Enter:

dotnet new web -n MyWebApp

• Breakdown:

  • dotnet new → Creates a new .NET project.
  • web → Uses the ASP.NET Core minimal web app template.
  • n MyWebApp → Names the project MyWebApp and creates a folder for it.

• Open Program.cs and look at the code inside.

• In the terminal navigate to the MyWebApp folder, enter
  
  

dontnet run

• Look in the terminal. Hold control (or command for Mac) and click where it gives the localhost link. This will open the app in your web browser
  

• In the browser you will see this:
  

• Go back to VS code and press Control + c to stop the server. Look at the code in Program.cs. Notice this part in the code:
  app.MapGet("/", () => "Hello World!");

• This controls what is displayed. Try changing the displayed message. Example:
  

app.MapGet("/", () => "I'm learning C#!");

• In the terminal, enter

dotnet build
dotnet run

• Explanation:

  • dotnet build: Compiles the C# code and checks for errors. Then generates an optimized binary (DLL file) inside the bin/ folder.
  • dotnet run: Runs the compiled application on a web server that listens for requests.

• Open the new localhost
  
  

• You should see the new message
  
  

Creating and Running the Console App

• Enter control + c in the terminal to stop the web app server.
• Navigate out of the web app folder in the terminal using the command cd ..
• To set up the files needed for a console app, enter the comand:

dotnet new console -n MyConsoleApp

• This will create a folder called My console app with the necessary files to run a console app. Open the folder and navigate to Program.cs
  

• In the terminal, navigate to the console app folder then enter
  

dotnet run

• This will build and run the app. Note the output in the terminal:

As you can see, console apps primarily run in the terminal.

Generating and running sample code in the console

• Open a generative AI of your choice. Enter a prompt similar to this: create a snake game that runs in c sharp console

• Replace the contents of Program.cs with the generated code and save the file

• In the terminal enter :
  

dotnet build
dotnet run

• You can now use the app in the console

Summary

This article introduces C# development with .NET Core using Visual Studio Code. We explore the basics of creating and running both console and web applications using .NET.

Key Takeaways:
✅ Setting up the environment – using .NET SDK and VS Code
✅ Setting up a C# web application – Creating a minimal ASP.NET web app
✅ Setting up a C# console app – Generating and running a Snake game that runs in the terminal
✅ Modifying and running the app – Editing Program.cs and using dotnet build & dotnet run

This hands-on approach demonstrates how C# and .NET Core can be used to create both interactive console and web applications, making it a powerful tool for development. 🚀