How to convert Web application project to Class library project

Question

I need to convert a project started as a Web Application to a Class Libray, is this possible?

Thanks

Answer 1

If you want to make it exactly the same as a class library project, here's how to do it for a Visual Studio 2010 project:

1. Edit the csproj file

   • Under PropertyGroup
     • Remove ProjectTypeGuids
     • Remove UseIISExpress
     • Add <FileAlignment>512</FileAlignment>
   • Change <Import Project="$(MSBuildBinPath)\Microsoft.CSharp.targets" /> to <Import Project="$(MSBuildToolsPath)\Microsoft.CSharp.targets" />
   • Remove <Import Project="$(MSBuildExtensionsPath32)\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v10.0\WebApplications\Microsoft.WebApplication.targets" />
   • Remove <ProjectExtensions>
   • Under <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Debug|AnyCPU' ">
     • Change OutputPath to bin\Debug\
   • Under <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Release|AnyCPU' ">
     • Change OutputPath to bin\Release\

2. Open the project in Visual Studio

   • Remove any of the following references if they are unused
     • System.Configuration
     • System.Drawing
     • System.EnterpriseServices
     • System.Web
     • System.Web.ApplicationServices
     • System.Web.DynamicData
     • System.Web.Entity
     • System.Web.Extensions
     • System.Web.Services
   • Delete any of the following files/folders if they are unwanted/unused
     • App_Data
     • *.aspx
     • Web.config
     • Scripts
     • Styles
     • Global.asax
     • Site.Master

Answer 2

The correct answer is yes. Just edit the csproj (msbuild) file and change the ProjectGuid and remove the ProjectTypeGuids:

<ProjectGuid>{9845066A-3C9E-4F51-8F5F-8F513E8D03C1}</ProjectGuid>

It really is that simple.

Answer 3

I came here to have a class library with mvc menu items. This is, right click on views folder to add view or controller to add controller within a classlibrary.

I was able to achieve this by editing my mvc.web.app.csproj, copy the <ProjectTypeGuids /> to my class.lib.csproj project.

For more context on what I am doing, see: How to reuse Areas, Controllers, Views, Models, Routes in multiple apps or websites.

Answer 4

No. Your best bet is to create a Class.Library and copy the .cs files into your new project.

A Class Library won't do anything with .aspx pages, it will see those as files in the solution.