README.md

## Welcome to the .NET Compiler Platform ("Roslyn")

The .NET Compiler Platform ("Roslyn") provides open-source C# and Visual Basic compilers 
with rich code analysis APIs.  It enables building code analysis tools with the same APIs 
that are used by Visual Studio.

### Try new language and IDE features

Just want to provide feedback on new [language features](https://roslyn.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Language%20feature%20status&referringTitle=Home) 
and [IDE features](http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudio/archive/2014/11/12/the-c-and-visual-basic-code-focused-ide-experience.aspx)? 

* Try out [Visual Studio 2015 Preview](http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/downloads/visual-studio-2015-downloads-vs), 
which has the latest features built-in.

    Want to keep your box clean? You can use 
[prebuilt Azure VM images](http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudioalm/archive/2014/06/04/visual-studio-14-ctp-now-available-in-the-virtual-machine-azure-gallery.aspx) 
with VS 2015 Preview already installed.

* You can also try April's [End User Preview](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=394641), 
which installs on top of Visual Studio 2013. *(Note: The VS 2013 preview is quite out of date, and is no longer being updated.)*

### Build tools that understand C# and Visual Basic

Get started building diagnostics, code fixes, refactorings, and other code-aware tools!

1. Set up a box with Visual Studio 2015 Preview. Either 
[install  Visual Studio 2015 Preview](http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/downloads/visual-studio-2015-downloads-vs), 
or grab a [prebuilt Azure VM image](http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudioalm/archive/2014/06/04/visual-studio-14-ctp-now-available-in-the-virtual-machine-azure-gallery.aspx).
2. Install the [Visual Studio 2015 Preview SDK](http://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/downloads/visual-studio-2015-downloads-vs). 
You'll need to do this even if you're using the Azure VM image. 
3. Install the [SDK Templates VSIX package](http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/849f3ab1-05cf-4682-b4af-ef995e2aa1a5) 
to get the Visual Studio project templates. 
4. Install the [Syntax Visualizer VSIX package](http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/70e184da-9b3a-402f-b210-d62a898e2887) 
to get a [Syntax Visualizer tool window](https://roslyn.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Syntax%20Visualizer&referringTitle=Home) 
to help explore the syntax trees you'll be analyzing.

Or, you can grab the latest [NuGet Roslyn compiler package](http://www.nuget.org/packages/Microsoft.CodeAnalysis). 
From the NuGet package manager console:

    Install-Package Microsoft.CodeAnalysis -Pre

### Source code

* Clone the sources: `git clone https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn.git`
* [Enhanced source view](http://source.roslyn.codeplex.com/), powered by Roslyn 
* [Building, testing and debugging the sources](https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn/wiki/Building%20Testing%20and%20Debugging)

### Get started

* [Roslyn Overview](https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn/wiki/Roslyn%20Overview) 
* [Samples and Walkthroughs](https://roslyn.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Samples%20and%20Walkthroughs&referringTitle=Home)
* [Syntax Visualizer Tool](https://roslyn.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Syntax%20Visualizer&referringTitle=Home)
* [Roadmap](https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn/wiki/Roadmap) 
* [Language Feature Status](https://roslyn.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Language%20Feature%20Status&referringTitle=Home)
* [Language Design Notes](https://roslyn.codeplex.com/documentation?referringTitle=Home&ANCHOR#langdesignlinks)
* [FAQ](https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn/wiki/FAQ)

### Contribute!

Some of the best ways to contribute are to try things out, file bugs, and join in design conversations. 

* [Questions, Comments, and Feedback](https://roslyn.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=Questions%2c%20Comments%2c%20and%20Feedback&referringTitle=Home)

Looking for something to work on? The list of [up-for-grabs issues](https://roslyn.codeplex.com/workitem/list/advanced?keyword=grabs&status=Open%2b%28not%2bclosed%29&type=All&priority=All&release=All&assignedTo=All&component=All&reasonClosed=All&sortField=LastUpdatedDate&sortDirection=Descending&page=0) is a great place to start.

* [How to Contribute](https://roslyn.codeplex.com/wikipage?title=How%20to%20Contribute&referringTitle=Home) 
* [Pull requests](https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn/pulls): [Open](https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn/pulls?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Apr)/[Closed](https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn/pulls?q=is%3Apr+is%3Aclosed)

### .NET Foundation

This project is part of the [.NET Foundation](http://www.dotnetfoundation.org/projects) along with other
projects like [the class libraries for .NET Core](https://github.com/dotnet/corefx/).