Wrapping a C# service in a console app to debug it

Question

I want to debug a service written in C# and the old fashioned way is just too long. I have to stop the service, start my application that uses the service in debug mode (Vis

Answer 1

Here is a blog post about running your windows service as a console app.

You could also just create a new Console Application that references the same logic as your service to test methods, or set up Unit Tests on your services' logic

Answer 2

TopShelf is another project that is perfect for this approach. It allows you to run a process as a service, or as a regular console application with minimal configuration.

Answer 3

I tend to have either a config setting or use a directive for debug builds:

 #if DEBUG
    Debugger.Break();
 #endif

or

if(Settings.DebugBreak)
            Debugger.Break();

I put that in the OnStart method of the service component. Then you are prompted automatically and attached to the process.

Answer 4

I have used unit tests to debug difficult setups in the past, just write a unit test that calls whatever service method with whatever parameters and set debug breakpoints in the unit test.

Using testdriven.net or jetbrains testrunner makes it easier.