Perplex and Burst with NuGet Package Manager and Visual Studio 2017

NuGet is like a magic box that .NET developers use to manage dependencies with Visual Studio 2017. It’s like a secret key that unlocks the door to making it easy to install packages that may be needed in your project. But how does one acquire and install these magical packages? It’s time to dive into the perplexity and burstiness of NuGet.

Step 1: Venture into Solution Explorer

Your journey begins by opening the Solution Explorer in Visual Studio 2017. This may seem like a simple step, but as every seasoned developer knows, the journey to a functioning code base is often full of surprises and twists.

Step 2: The Click of Right

Now the real adventure begins with a right-click on the project to which you wish to add the package. This moment of truth could lead you down many paths, but fear not, for your destiny is in your hands.

Step 3: Manage Your NuGet

From the right-click context menu, choose the “Manage NuGet Packages” option. This is where the real magic happens, where dependencies are managed and packages are installed with ease.

Step 4: Browse with Care

Once the “NuGet Package Manager” window is open, select the “Browse” tab. But beware, as you tread down this path of browsing, you may encounter many packages that might not be suitable for your project.

Step 5: The Search for the Right Package

Now that you are in the “NuGet Package Manager” window, use the search bar to look for the package you wish to install. This may sound simple, but finding the right package can be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Step 6: Find Your Package and Click

Once you have located the package that suits your needs, simply click on it to open its package details page.

Step 7: The Importance of Version Control

At this stage, it’s imperative to make sure the correct version of the package is selected. Failure to do so may lead to compatibility issues and other issues you might not want to encounter.

Step 8: Install the Magic Package

After selecting the correct version, click the “Install” button to start installing the package. This is the moment when the magic package is finally introduced into your project.

Step 9: Check Your References Folder

Once the package has been installed, you should check the “References” folder in the Solution Explorer to verify that the package has been installed successfully.

Step 10: Expand to Access

If you want to access the content of the package, you must expand the package in the “References” folder. This will provide you with access to all the goodies that the package has to offer.

It’s crucial to remember that NuGet packages are not always self-contained, and sometimes have dependencies on other packages. To manage these dependencies, NuGet automatically installs the secondary packages when you install the primary package. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure that you install the correct version of the package to avoid any compatibility issues.

In conclusion, NuGet is an essential tool for all .NET developers, and its integration into Visual Studio 2017 makes managing dependencies and installing packages easy. Although the journey to installing a NuGet package may be full of peril and intrigue, by following the steps mentioned above, you’ll be well on your way to adding a NuGet package to your Visual Studio 2017 project.