Why Can't I Directly Start a C# Class Library Project for Debugging?

Troubleshooting "A project with an Output type of Class Library cannot be started directly" Error

When attempting to debug a downloaded C# project, you may encounter the error message "A project with an Output type of Class Library cannot be started directly." This error arises because the project compiles into a DLL assembly, providing a library of classes but lacking a dedicated executable entry point like a main function.

Solution:

To resolve this issue, you need to add a separate executable project to your solution that will reference and utilize the class library. This executable project will act as the startup point for debugging the algorithm implementation.

Steps to Add an Executable Project:

1. Create a New Project: Within Visual Studio, right-click on the Solution Explorer and select "Add" -> "New Project."
2. Choose Project Template: From the list of project templates, select either "Console Application" or "Windows Application."
3. Configure Output Type: Right-click on the newly added project in Solution Explorer, select "Properties," and navigate to the "Application" tab. In the "Output type" combo box, ensure it is set to "Console Application" or "Windows Application."

Additional Note:

Once you have added the executable project, you can write code within it to test the functionality provided by the class library. This will allow you to debug the algorithm implementation without the need for a main function in the class library itself.

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