How can I target a specific language version using CodeDOM?

Question

Using the C# code provider and the ICodeCompiler.CompileAssemblyFromSource method, I am attempting to compile a code file in order to produce an executable assembly.

The code that I would like to compile makes use of features such as optional parameters and extension methods that are only available when using the language C# 4.

Having said that, the code that I would like to compile only requires (and needs) to target version 2.0 of the .NET Framework.

Using the proceeding code it is possible to avoid any compile-time errors pertaining to syntax however, the resulting assembly will target version 4.0 of the framework which is undesirable.

var compiler = new CSharpCodeProvider(
        new Dictionary<string, string> { { "CompilerVersion", "v4.0" } } );

How can I make is so that the code provider targets language version 4.0 but produces an assembly that only requires version 2.0 of the framework?

You're already targeting a specific compiler version - what you don't know is how to target a specific framework version. I suggest you update your question (particularly the title) accordingly. — Jon Skeet
– Jon Skeet, Commented Nov 16, 2013 at 13:29
Have you tried specifying the CompilerParameters when you later compile, and specifically passing a set of assemblies which match the framework you are trying to target? — Ben Voigt
– Ben Voigt, Commented Nov 19, 2013 at 6:36
You may also need to use the CompilerOptions property to pass /nostdlib+ /noconfig (in additional to passing the right version of the system assemblies). See blogs.msdn.com/b/ed_maurer/archive/2010/03/31/… — Ben Voigt
– Ben Voigt, Commented Nov 19, 2013 at 6:43
Wow... there's this question that asks the right thing but all the answers are wrong (specify language version and compiler, not framework) — Ben Voigt
– Ben Voigt, Commented Nov 19, 2013 at 6:44

Simon Mourier · Accepted Answer · 2013-11-21 09:29:56Z

You need to instruct the C# compiler (that CSharpCodeProvider uses indirectly) that you want to link to another mscorlib.dll, using the /nostdlib option. Here is a sample that should do it:

static void Main(string[] args)
{
    // defines references
    List<string> references = new List<string>();

    // get a reference to the mscorlib you want
    var mscorlib_2_x86 = Path.Combine(
                         Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.Windows),
                         @"Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\mscorlib.dll");
    references.Add(mscorlib_2_x86);

    // ... add other references (System.dll, etc.)

    var provider = new CSharpCodeProvider(
                   new Dictionary<string, string> { { "CompilerVersion", "v4.0" } });
    var parameters = new CompilerParameters(references.ToArray(), "program.exe");
    parameters.GenerateExecutable = true;

    // instruct the compiler not to use the default mscorlib
    parameters.CompilerOptions = "/nostdlib";              

    var results = provider.CompileAssemblyFromSource(parameters,
        @"using System;

        class Program
        {
            static void Main(string[] args)
            {
                Console.WriteLine(""Hello world from CLR version: "" + Environment.Version);
            }
        }");
}

If you run this, it should compile a program.exe file. If you run that file, it should display something like this:

Hello world from CLR version: 2.0.50727.7905

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