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Discover the benefits and considerations of placing your C- Source Generator in a separate assembly. Learn why this practice can help you avoid potential issues in your development environment.
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Should a Source Generator be in its Own Assembly?

Introduction

As developers dive into the world of C- and .NET, they often encounter the concept of Source Generators, especially in relation to Roslyn, the .NET compiler platform. A question that frequently arises is whether a source generator should be placed in its own assembly. This consideration is essential as it can have a significant impact on your project's architecture and debug processes. In this guide, we will explore the rationale behind keeping your source generator in a separate assembly and the potential issues you might face if you decide against this practice.

Understanding Source Generators

Before delving deeper, let's quickly clarify what source generators are.

Source Generators: These are special tools in C- that allow developers to generate C- source code at compile-time, which enhances the extensibility and performance of code generation processes. They are particularly relevant when working with libraries that utilize reflection and compiled lambda expressions.

The Case for Separate Assemblies

Preventing Dependency Issues

One of the primary reasons for keeping your source generator in a separate assembly revolves around dependency management.

Compatibility with .NET Standards: Source generators must target netstandard2.0 to ensure compatibility with various Visual Studio components, including those that operate on .NET Core, .NET Framework, and other platforms like VS Code and VS for Mac. This requirement can conflict with your library's targets if not properly managed.

Avoiding Complex Dependency Chains: A library might have different frameworks or runtime dependencies that may not align well with the source generator's requirements. For instance, if your library functions exclusively on Linux, but the generator runs on a Windows machine during development, a mismatch could lead to operational headaches.

Development Clarity

By separating the source generator into its own assembly, you create a clearer distinction between development and runtime environments. This distinction can simplify the development workflow.

Development vs. Runtime Clarity: Keeping the generator apart helps clarify which assembly is responsible for code generation versus the library's runtime functionalities. This can prevent confusion during testing, debugging, and updating processes.

Reducing Packaging Gotchas

Another consideration involves the complexity of managing dependencies that reside within the same assembly.

Managing Dependencies: Complex dependency trees can lead to difficulties in packaging and runtime compatibility. By segregating assemblies, you can isolate dependencies required only for the generator, helping streamline your project and reducing the chances of encountering issues during the loading of assemblies.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, while it is technically possible to place your source generator within the same assembly as your library, it's generally advisable to keep them separate. This practice can help avoid potential pitfalls, clarify development processes, and mitigate unnecessary complexity with dependencies.

Remember, while it's not mandatory to split your assemblies, doing so can ultimately save you from various frustrating and non-obvious problems in the long run. By understanding these implications, you can make informed decisions that contribute to a more efficient development workflow in your C- projects.

Ultimately, adopting best practices around assembly structure will lead to more sustainable and maintainable code, paving the way for enhanced productivity in your development journey.