Visual Studio for Mac Ignoring launchSettings.json

ONLINECAST

3 min read

·

06-10-2024

8

0

Share

Visual Studio for Mac Ignoring launchSettings.json: A Debugging Guide

Problem:

Are you struggling with your Visual Studio for Mac application not behaving as expected due to launchSettings.json being ignored? This frustrating issue can lead to incorrect configurations, unexpected behavior, and wasted time.

Simplified:

Imagine you're setting up a new project and want to specify the starting port for your web application. You carefully adjust the launchSettings.json file, but when you run your app, it still uses the default port. It's like trying to tell your car to take a different route but it keeps driving on the same road.

Scenario:

Let's say you have a simple ASP.NET Core web application and you want to launch it on port 5001 instead of the default 5000. You add the following to your launchSettings.json:

{
  "profiles": {
    "IIS Express": {
      "commandName": "IISExpress",
      "launchBrowser": true,
      "environmentVariables": {
        "ASPNETCORE_ENVIRONMENT": "Development"
      },
      "applicationUrl": "http://localhost:5001"
    }
  }
}

However, when you run your application in Visual Studio for Mac, it still launches on port 5000.

Analysis:

This issue often arises due to:

• Outdated launchSettings.json: Ensure your launchSettings.json file is up-to-date and accurately reflects the desired configurations. Double-check for typos or outdated entries.
• Incorrect Project Settings: Visual Studio for Mac might have its own project settings that override the configurations specified in launchSettings.json. This could be related to launch profiles, startup URLs, or other project-specific settings.
• Cache Issues: Sometimes, Visual Studio for Mac might cache old configurations, preventing the application from recognizing the updated launchSettings.json.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Clean and Rebuild: Start with a fresh build by performing a clean and rebuild of your project. This can often resolve caching issues and force Visual Studio to re-read your configurations.
2. Check Project Settings: Open the project settings and look for any configurations that might be conflicting with your launchSettings.json settings. Pay attention to "Startup URL", "Launch Profiles", and other relevant settings.
3. Verify launchSettings.json: Double-check your launchSettings.json file to make sure it contains the correct settings and that there are no errors in the syntax.
4. Restart Visual Studio: A simple restart of Visual Studio for Mac can sometimes resolve the issue if the application is holding onto old configurations.
5. Manual Launch: If you're still unable to get your application to launch on the desired port, try manually launching it from the command line using the dotnet run command with the --urls argument to specify the port, like so: dotnet run --urls "http://localhost:5001". This can help isolate the issue and determine if it's specific to Visual Studio for Mac or a broader configuration problem.

Additional Tips:

• Debugging: Use Visual Studio for Mac's debugging tools to inspect the values of environment variables and other configurations at runtime. This can help identify which settings are being used and highlight any inconsistencies.
• Project Structure: Ensure your launchSettings.json is located in the correct project directory, usually in the "Properties" folder of your project.
• External Tools: Utilize tools like Fiddler or Charles Proxy to inspect network traffic and verify that your application is indeed connecting to the desired port.

Conclusion:

While it can be frustrating to encounter situations where launchSettings.json is seemingly ignored, following these steps can help you troubleshoot the issue and get your application running as intended. Remember to carefully examine your configurations and ensure there are no conflicts between your project settings and launchSettings.json.

References:

• ASP.NET Core Configuration
• Visual Studio for Mac Documentation

Additional Value:

This article provides clear and actionable steps to resolve a common issue faced by developers using Visual Studio for Mac. It aims to guide users through the troubleshooting process and empower them to effectively debug and fix their configurations. The inclusion of additional tips and references adds value by providing further information and resources for those who need more in-depth knowledge.