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📓 Installing dotnet-script

Now that .NET 6 and C# are installed on our machines, we'll install dotnet-script.

dotnet-script​


As mentioned in Welcome to C#, C# is a compiled language. In order to experiment with C#, we'll need a tool called a REPL, which stands for read-evaluate-print-loop. This allows us to run code a line at a time. This way we can practice, test, experiment, and have fun with C#.

We'll install and use a REPL called dotnet-script.

Installation​

We can install dotnet-script with the following terminal command:

$ dotnet tool install -g dotnet-script

Note that .NET 6 needs to be installed for this command to work. If you just installed .NET 6, restart the terminal. Otherwise, you will not be able to run dotnet commands.

Configuration​

Next, configure your bash or zsh environment variables to find the location of dotnet-script. In the command line enter the following:

For bash users:

$ echo 'export PATH=$PATH:~/.dotnet/tools' >> ~/.bash_profile

For zsh users:

$ echo 'export PATH=$PATH:~/.dotnet/tools' >> ~/.zshrc

Start the REPL​

Now you can run the REPL! Enter $ dotnet-script in the command line and a prompt will open:

>

To try the REPL feature, enter:

> string hello = "hello world";

and then call the variable:

> hello
"hello world"

To exit the REPL press Ctrl + C .