C# Compiler in 2 Minutes

How C# compilation works, easy to understand

Alex Maher
4 min readOct 19, 2023

Before we continue; This is a 4 minutes read and I would highly encourage everyone to read the whole article, but for TLDR; Head over to The Compilation Process.

So, C# compiler is the bridge that transforms your high-level C# code into a format that your computer understands. But how does this transformation occur? Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Basics

  • What is a Compiler?
    A compiler is like a translator. Imagine you’re speaking English, but your friend only understands French. You’d need a translator to convey your message. Similarly, a compiler translates high-level programming languages into machine code.
  • Why C# Needs a Compiler:
    C# is a high-level language, meaning it’s closer to human language than machine language. For your computer to execute C# code, it needs to be in a format it comprehends, and that’s where our compiler steps in.

The Compilation Process

  1. Writing the Code:
    As a developer, you start by writing your C# code. This is the high-level language that you and other developers can easily understand.
  2. Compilation to IL:
    Once you’re ready to build or compile your project, the C# compiler comes into play…

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Alex Maher
Alex Maher

Written by Alex Maher

.NET C# dev with 10+ yrs exp, self-taught & passionate web developer. Sharing tips & experiences in C# and web dev.

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