Want to quickly update a configuration file or edit a solution or project file? Then Microsoft Edit is the ultimate choice. It is a lightweight and easy-to-use text editor from the command line. You can do all this without ever having to switch context.
Plans are to add it to Windows OS soon, making it useful in places where third-party software can’t be installed.
For now, the easiest option to install this editor is using winget:
C# – Preprocessor Directives are highly useful for writing code that can be compiled conditionally, depending on factors like the target framework, target platform, or build configuration.
For example:
#if NET9_0_OR_GREATER
// The code within this block will execute only on .NET 9 or higher
#endif
#if ANDROID
// The code within this block will execute only on the Android OS
#endif
#if DEBUG
// The code within this block will execute only in Debug mode
#endif
C# – Ignored Directives have a similar syntax but are ignored by the compiler because they are for tooling.
The real purpose of this feature is to execute a C# source file directly from the CLI. It doesn’t need a project file. Now, even the plain console app requires a project file, despite the much-simplified top-level statements feature.