How to enable C# 6.0 feature in Visual Studio 2013?

Question

I was going through the latest features introduced in C# 6.0 and just followed an example of auto property initializer,

class NewSample
{
    public Guid Id { get; } = Guid.NewGuid();
}

but my IDE did not recognize the syntax.

I am wondering how I could enable C# 6.0 in Visual Studio 2013. The Target framework I am using is 4.5.1.

Answer 1

Under VS2013 you can install the new compilers into the project as a nuget package. That way you don't need VS2015 or an updated build server.

https://www.nuget.org/packages/Microsoft.Net.Compilers/

Install-Package Microsoft.Net.Compilers

The package allows you to use/build C# 6.0 code/syntax. Because VS2013 doesn't natively recognize the new C# 6.0 syntax, it will show errors in the code editor window although it will build fine.

Using Resharper, you'll get squiggly lines on C# 6 features, but the bulb gives you the option to 'Enable C# 6.0 support for this project' (setting saved to .DotSettings).

As mentioned by @stimpy77: for support in MVC Razor views you'll need an extra package (for those that don't read the comments)

Install-Package Microsoft.CodeDom.Providers.DotNetCompilerPlatform

If you want full C# 6.0 support, you'll need to install VS2015.