cscexe

cscexe is a term encountered in documentation and scripts to denote the executable component that compiles C# source code into assemblies. In most environments the actual binary is named csc.exe on Windows, or a platform-appropriate compiler binary provided with the .NET SDK or Mono. The label cscexe is not a standard official name for a separate tool; rather it is an informal alias used where the exact filename varies by platform, installation, or packaging.

Function and role: The C# compiler reads C# source files and emits Common Intermediate Language assemblies (DLLs or EXEs), performing syntax analysis, semantic checks, and metadata generation as part of the build process. It is typically invoked by development environments and build tools, and can be run directly from the command line when the appropriate runtime or SDK is installed.

Distribution and usage: On Windows, the compiler is included with the .NET Framework/SDK as csc.exe. On Linux and macOS, the compiler is provided by the .NET SDK or by Mono and can be invoked through the system path or via an integrated development environment. Common command-line usage resembles: cscexe /nologo /t:exe /out:MyApp.exe MyApp.cs, though most workflows today prefer using dotnet build or MSBuild which call the compiler under the hood.

History and context: The C# compiler has evolved from the early csc.exe in the .NET Framework era to include Roslyn-based components that offer compiler services and optional open-source implementations. The exact file name and invocation method have varied across .NET generations, but the underlying function—translating C# code to assemblies—remains constant.

See also: csc.exe, Roslyn, dotnet, MSBuild, Mono C# compiler.