How to Open Asp Net Project in Visual Studio 2019

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Tutorial: Get started with C# and ASP.NET Core in Visual Studio

• 11/13/2021
• 15 minutes to read

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In this article

In this tutorial for C# development with ASP.NET Core using Visual Studio, you'll create a C# ASP.NET Core web app, make changes to it, explore some features of the IDE, and then run the app.

Prerequisites

1. Install Visual Studio

2. Update Visual Studio - If you've already installed Visual Studio, make sure that you're running the most recent release. For more information about how to update your installation, see the Update Visual Studio to the most recent release page.

3. Choose your theme (optional) - This tutorial includes screenshots that use the dark theme. You can Personalize the Visual Studio IDE and Editor page to learn how.

Create a project

First, you'll create a ASP.NET Core project. The project type comes with all the template files you'll need for a fully functional website, before you've even added anything!

1. Open Visual Studio 2017.

2. From the top menu bar, choose File > New > Project.

3. In the New Project dialog box in the left pane, expand Visual C#, expand Web, and then choose .NET Core. In the middle pane, choose ASP.NET Core Web Application. Then, name the file MyCoreApp and choose OK.

   

Add a workload (optional)

If you don't see the ASP.NET Core Web Application project template, you can get it by adding the ASP.NET and web development workload. You can add this workload in one of the two following ways, depending on which Visual Studio 2017 updates are installed on your machine.

Option 1: Use the New Project dialog box

1. Select the Open Visual Studio Installer link in the left pane of the New Project dialog box. (Depending on your display settings, you might have to scroll to see it.)

   

2. The Visual Studio Installer launches. Choose the ASP.NET and web development workload, and then choose Modify.

   

   (You might have to close Visual Studio before you can continue installing the new workload.)

Option 2: Use the Tools menu bar

1. Cancel out of the New Project dialog box. Then, from the top menu bar, choose Tools > Get Tools and Features.

2. The Visual Studio Installer launches. Choose the ASP.NET and web development workload, and then choose Modify.

   (You might have to close Visual Studio before you can continue installing the new workload.)

Add a project template

1. In the New ASP.NET Core Web Application dialog box, choose the Web Application project template.

2. Verify that ASP.NET Core 2.1 appears in the top drop-down menu. Then, choose OK.

   

   Note

   If you don't see ASP.NET Core 2.1 from the top drop-down menu, make sure that you are running the most recent release of Visual Studio. For more information about how to update your installation, see the Update Visual Studio to the most recent release page.

1. In the start window, choose Create a new project.

   

2. In the Create a new project window, choose C# from the Language list. Next, choose Windows from the Platform list, and Web from the project types list.

   After you apply the language, platform, and project type filters, choose the ASP.NET Core Web App template, and then choose Next.

   

   Note

   If you don't see the ASP.NET Core Web App template, you can install it from the Create a new project window. In the Not finding what you're looking for? message, choose the Install more tools and features link.

   

   Then, in the Visual Studio Installer, choose the ASP.NET and web development workload.

   

   After that, choose the Modify button in the Visual Studio Installer. If you're prompted to save your work, do so. Next, choose Continue to install the workload. Then, return to step 2 in this "Create a project" procedure.

3. In the Configure your new project window, type or enter MyCoreApp in the Project name box. Then, choose Next.

   

4. In the Additional information window, verify that .NET Core 3.1 appears in the top drop-down menu. Note that you can choose to enable Docker support by checking the box. You can also add authentication support by clicking the change Authentication button. From there you can choose from:

   • None: no authentication.
   • Individual accounts: these are stored in a local or Azure-based database.
   • Microsoft identity platform: this option uses Active Directory, Azure AD, or Microsoft 365 for authentication.
   • Windows: suitable for intranet applications.

   Leave the Enable Docker box unchecked, and select None for Authentication Type. Then, select Create.

   

   Visual Studio will open up your new project.

1. In the start window, choose Create a new project.

   

2. In the Create a new project window, choose C# from the Language list. Next, choose Windows from the Platform list, and Web from the project types list.

   After you apply the language, platform, and project type filters, choose the ASP.NET Core Web App template, and then choose Next.

   

   Note

   If you don't see the ASP.NET Core Web App template, you can install it from the Create a new project window. In the Not finding what you're looking for? message, choose the Install more tools and features link.

   

   Then, in the Visual Studio Installer, choose the ASP.NET and web development workload.

   

   After that, choose the Modify button in the Visual Studio Installer. If you're prompted to save your work, do so. Next, choose Continue to install the workload. Then, return to step 2 in this "Create a project" procedure.

3. In the Configure your new project window, type or enter MyCoreApp in the Project name box. Then, choose Next.

   

4. In the Additional information window, verify that .NET 6.0 appears in the Framework field. In this window, you can choose to enable Docker support by checking the box. You can also add authentication support by selecting a value from the Authentication type drop-down list. From there you can choose from:

   • None: no authentication.
   • Individual accounts: authentications that are stored in a local or Azure-based database.
   • Microsoft identity platform: this option uses Active Directory, Azure AD, or Microsoft 365 for authentication.
   • Windows: suitable for intranet applications.

   Leave the Enable Docker box unchecked, and select None for Authentication type. Then, select Create.

   

   Visual Studio will open up your new project.

About your solution

This solution follows the Razor Page design pattern. It's different than the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern in that it's streamlined to include the model and controller code within the Razor Page itself.

Tour your solution

1. The project template creates a solution with a single ASP.NET Core project that is named MyCoreApp. Choose the Solution Explorer tab to view its contents.

   

2. Expand the Pages folder, and then expand About.cshtml.

   

3. View the About.cshtml file in the code editor.

   

4. Choose the About.cshtml.cs file.

   

5. View the About.cshtml.cs file in the code editor.

   

6. The project contains a wwwroot folder that is the root for your website. Expand the folder to view its contents.

   

   You can put static site content—such as CSS, images, and JavaScript libraries—directly in the paths where you want them.

7. The project also contains configuration files that manage the web app at run time. The default application configuration is stored in appsettings.json. However, you can override these settings by using appsettings.Development.json. Expand the appsettings.json file to view the appsettings.Development.json file.

   

Run, debug, and make changes

1. Choose the IIS Express button in the IDE to build and run the app in Debug mode. (Alternatively, press F5, or choose Debug > Start Debugging from the menu bar.)

   

   Note

   If you get an error message that says Unable to connect to web server 'IIS Express', close Visual Studio and then open it by using the Run as administrator option from the right-click or context menu. Then, run the application again.

   You might also get a message that asks if you want to accept an IIS SSL Express certificate. To view the code in a web browser, choose Yes, and then choose Yes if you receive a follow-up security warning message.

2. Visual Studio launches a browser window. You should then see Home, About, and Contact pages in the menu bar. (If you don't, choose the "hamburger" menu item to view them.)

   

3. Choose About from the menu bar.

   

   Among other things, the About page in the browser renders the text that is set in the About.cshtml file.

   

4. Return to Visual Studio, and then press Shift+F5 to stop Debug mode. This also closes the project in the browser window.

5. In Visual Studio, choose About.cshtml. Then, delete the word another and in its place, add the words file and directory.

   

6. Choose About.cshtml.cs. Then, clean up the using directives at the top of the file by using the following shortcut:

   Choose any of the grayed-out using directives and a Quick Actions light bulb will appear just below the caret or in the left margin. Choose the light bulb, and then choose Remove Unnecessary Usings.

   

   Visual Studio deletes the unnecessary using directives from the file.

7. Next, in the OnGet() method, change the body to the following code:

                     public void OnGet() {     string directory = Environment.CurrentDirectory;     Message = String.Format("Your directory is {0}.", directory); }                                  

8. Notice that two wavy underlines appear under Environment and String. The wavy underlines appear because these types aren't in scope.

   

   Open the Error List toolbar to see the same errors listed there. (If you don't see the Error List toolbar, choose View > Error List from the top menu bar.)

   

9. Let's fix this. In the code editor, place your cursor on either line that contains the error, and then choose the Quick Actions light bulb in the left margin. Then, from the drop-down menu, choose using System; to add this directive to the top of your file and resolve the errors.

   

10. Press Ctrl+S to save your changes, and then press F5 to open your project in the web browser.

11. At the top of the web site, choose About to view your changes.

    

12. Close the web browser, press Shift+F5 to stop Debug mode, and then close Visual Studio.

Tour your solution

1. The project template creates a solution with a single ASP.NET Core project that is named MyCoreApp. Choose the Solution Explorer tab to view its contents.

   

2. Expand the Pages folder.

   

3. View the Index.cshtml file in the code editor.

   

4. Each .cshtml file has an associated code file. To open the code file in the editor, expand the Index.cshtml node in Solution Explorer, and choose the Index.cshtml.cs file.

   

5. View the Index.cshtml.cs file in the code editor.

   

6. The project contains a wwwroot folder that is the root for your website. Expand the folder to view its contents.

   

   You can put static site content—such as CSS, images, and JavaScript libraries—directly in the paths where you want them.

7. The project also contains configuration files that manage the web app at run time. The default application configuration is stored in appsettings.json. However, you can override these settings by using appsettings.Development.json. Expand the appsettings.json file to view the appsettings.Development.json file.

   

Run, debug, and make changes

1. Choose the IIS Express button in the IDE to build and run the app in Debug mode. (Alternatively, press F5, or choose Debug > Start Debugging from the menu bar.)

   

   Note

   If you get an error message that says Unable to connect to web server 'IIS Express', close Visual Studio and then open it by using the Run as administrator option from the right-click or context menu. Then, run the application again.

   You might also get a message that asks if you want to accept an IIS SSL Express certificate. To view the code in a web browser, choose Yes, and then choose Yes if you receive a follow-up security warning message.

2. Visual Studio launches a browser window. You should then see Home, and Privacy pages in the menu bar.

3. Choose Privacy from the menu bar.

   The Privacy page in the browser renders the text that is set in the Privacy.cshtml file.

   

4. Return to Visual Studio, and then press Shift+F5 to stop Debug mode. This also closes the project in the browser window.

5. In Visual Studio, open Privacy.cshtml for editing. Then, delete the words Use this page to detail your site's privacy policy and in its place, add the words This page is under construction as of @ViewData["TimeStamp"].

   

6. Now, let's make a code change. Choose Privacy.cshtml.cs. Then, clean up the using directives at the top of the file by using the following shortcut:

   Choose any of the grayed-out using directives and a Quick Actions light bulb will appear just below the caret or in the left margin. Choose the light bulb, and then hover over Remove unnecessary usings.

   

   Now choose Preview changes to see what will change.

   

   Choose Apply. Visual Studio deletes the unnecessary using directives from the file.

7. Next, in the OnGet() method, change the body to the following code:

                     public void OnGet() {    string dateTime = DateTime.Now.ToShortDateString();    ViewData["TimeStamp"] = dateTime; }                                  

8. Notice that two wavy underlines appear under DateTime. The wavy underlines appear because this type isn't in scope.

   

   Open the Error List toolbar to see the same errors listed there. (If you don't see the Error List toolbar, choose View > Error List from the top menu bar.)

   

9. Let's fix this. In the code editor, place your cursor on either line that contains the error, and then choose the Quick Actions light bulb in the left margin. Then, from the drop-down menu, choose using System; to add this directive to the top of your file and resolve the errors.

   

10. Press F5 to open your project in the web browser.

11. At the top of the web site, choose Privacy to view your changes.

    

12. Close the web browser, press Shift+F5 to stop Debug mode, and then close Visual Studio.

Tour your solution

1. The project template creates a solution with a single ASP.NET Core project that is named MyCoreApp. Choose the Solution Explorer tab to view its contents.

   

2. Expand the Pages folder.

   

3. View the Index.cshtml file in the code editor.

   

4. Each .cshtml file has an associated code file. To open the code file in the editor, expand the Index.cshtml node in Solution Explorer, and choose the Index.cshtml.cs file.

   

5. View the Index.cshtml.cs file in the code editor.

   

6. The project contains a wwwroot folder that is the root for your website. Expand the folder to view its contents.

   

   You can put static site content—such as CSS, images, and JavaScript libraries—directly in the paths where you want them.

7. The project also contains configuration files that manage the web app at run time. The default application configuration is stored in appsettings.json. However, you can override these settings by using appsettings.Development.json. Expand the appsettings.json file to view the appsettings.Development.json file.

   

Run, debug, and make changes

1. Select the IIS Express button in the IDE to build and run the app in Debug mode. (Alternatively, press F5, or choose Debug > Start Debugging from the menu bar.)

   

   Note

   If you get an error message that says Unable to connect to web server 'IIS Express', close Visual Studio and then open it by using the Run as administrator option from the right-click or context menu. Then, run the application again.

   You might also get a message that asks if you want to accept an IIS SSL Express certificate. To view the code in a web browser, choose Yes, and then choose Yes if you receive a follow-up security warning message.

2. Visual Studio launches a browser window. You should then see Home, and Privacy pages in the menu bar.

3. Choose Privacy from the menu bar.

   The Privacy page in the browser renders the text that is set in the Privacy.cshtml file.

   

4. Return to Visual Studio, and then press Shift+F5 to stop Debug mode. This also closes the project in the browser window.

5. In Visual Studio, open Privacy.cshtml for editing. Then, delete the words Use this page to detail your site's privacy policy and in its place, add the words This page is under construction as of @ViewData["TimeStamp"].

   

6. Now, let's make a code change. Choose Privacy.cshtml.cs. Then, clean up the using directives at the top of the file by selecting the following shortcut:

   Choose any of the grayed-out using directives and a Quick Actions light bulb will appear just below the caret or in the left margin. Choose the light bulb, and then hover over Remove unnecessary usings.

   

   Now choose Preview changes to see what will change.

   

   Choose Apply. Visual Studio deletes the unnecessary using directives from the file.

7. Next, create a string for the current date that is formatted for your culture or region by using the DateTime.ToString method.

   • The first argument for the method specifies how the the date should be displayed. This example uses the format specifier (d) which indicates the short date format.
   • The second argument is the CultureInfo object that specifies the culture or region for the date. This argument determines, among other things, the language of any words in the date, and the type of separators used.

Change the body of the OnGet() method to the following code:

              public void OnGet() {    string dateTime = DateTime.Now.ToString("d", new CultureInfo("en-US"));    ViewData["TimeStamp"] = dateTime; }                          

1. Notice that two wavy underlines appear under CultureInfo. The wavy underlines appear because this type isn't in scope.

   

   Open the Error List toolbar to see the same errors listed there. (If you don't see the Error List toolbar, choose View > Error List from the top menu bar.)

   

2. Let's fix this. In the code editor, place your cursor on either line that contains the error, and then choose the Quick Actions light bulb in the left margin. Then, from the drop-down menu, choose using System.Globalization; to add the directive to the top of your file and resolve the errors.

   

3. Press F5 to open your project in the web browser.

4. At the top of the web site, choose Privacy to view your changes.

   

5. Close the web browser, press Shift+F5 to stop Debug mode, and then close Visual Studio.

Quick answers FAQ

Here's a quick FAQ to highlight some key concepts.

What is C#?

C# is a type-safe and object-oriented programming language that's designed to be both robust and easy to learn.

What is ASP.NET Core?

ASP.NET Core is an open-source and cross-platform framework for building internet-connected applications, such as web apps and services. ASP.NET Core apps can run on either .NET Core or the .NET Framework. You can develop and run your ASP.NET Core apps cross-platform on Windows, Mac, and Linux. ASP.NET Core is open source at GitHub.

What is Visual Studio?

Visual Studio is an integrated development suite of productivity tools for developers. Think of it as a program you can use to create programs and applications.

Next steps

Congratulations on completing this tutorial! We hope you learned a little bit about C#, ASP.NET Core, and the Visual Studio IDE. To learn more about creating a web app or website with C# and ASP.NET, continue with the following tutorial:

Or, learn how to containerize your web app with Docker:

See also

Publish your web app to Azure App Service by using Visual Studio

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How to Open Asp Net Project in Visual Studio 2019

Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/get-started/csharp/tutorial-aspnet-core#:~:text=From%20the%20top%20menu%20bar,ASP.NET%20Core%20Web%20Application.

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