Unlocking the Secrets: How to Get the Version Number of Your .NET Core 3.1 Single-File Executable
Have you ever needed to display the version number of your .NET Core 3.1 single-file executable within your application? This is a common requirement for logging, debugging, or simply providing informative user feedback. While accessing version information might seem straightforward, single-file executables present a unique challenge. This article will guide you through the process of retrieving your application's version number from a single-file executable in .NET Core 3.1.
The Challenge of Single-File Executables
Traditional .NET applications store assembly information, including version numbers, in separate metadata files. This makes accessing this information relatively easy. However, .NET Core 3.1's single-file executables bundle all your application code, dependencies, and metadata into a single file. This eliminates the separate metadata file, making it harder to directly extract the version.
Understanding the Solution
To overcome this hurdle, we can utilize the AssemblyInformationalVersionAttribute attribute. This attribute, placed within your application's assembly, stores the version information you need. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process:
1. Accessing the Version Information
-
In your .NET Core project:
- Open your project file (typically
.csproj) and add theAssemblyInformationalVersionattribute to the<PropertyGroup>section:
<PropertyGroup> <OutputType>Exe</OutputType> <TargetFramework>netcoreapp3.1</TargetFramework> <AssemblyInformationalVersion>1.0.0</AssemblyInformationalVersion> </PropertyGroup>- Replace
1.0.0with your desired version string.
- Open your project file (typically
-
Within your application code:
- Use the following code snippet to retrieve the version information:
using System.Reflection; public class VersionHelper { public static string GetApplicationVersion() { return Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().GetCustomAttribute<AssemblyInformationalVersionAttribute>().InformationalVersion; } }- Now, simply call the
GetApplicationVersion()method to access the version string.
Example Usage:
using System;
using System.Reflection;
public class Program
{
public static void Main(string[] args)
{
Console.WriteLine("Application Version: " + VersionHelper.GetApplicationVersion());
}
}
public class VersionHelper
{
public static string GetApplicationVersion()
{
return Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().GetCustomAttribute<AssemblyInformationalVersionAttribute>().InformationalVersion;
}
}
Key Points to Remember:
- The
AssemblyInformationalVersionAttributeattribute provides a flexible way to store version details. You can include build numbers, release dates, or any other relevant information within the version string. - Remember to update the version number in your project file whenever you release a new version of your application.
- For production deployments, consider using a build automation tool to automate version management and build processes.
Conclusion:
By leveraging the AssemblyInformationalVersionAttribute, you can easily extract the version number of your .NET Core 3.1 single-file executable. This solution provides a simple yet effective way to access crucial information within your application, empowering you to enhance logging, debugging, and user experience.
Further Reading:
