# .NET Installation Guide for GeViScopeConfigReader

## What You Need to Install

To build the GeViScopeConfigReader project, you need:

1. **.NET SDK 8.0** (or .NET SDK 6.0+)
2. **.NET Framework 4.8 Developer Pack**

## Installation Steps

### Option A: Manual Download (Recommended)

#### Step 1: Install .NET SDK 8.0

1. Go to: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet/8.0
2. Under ".NET SDK 8.0.x", click **Download .NET SDK x64** for Windows
3. Run the installer (dotnet-sdk-8.0.xxx-win-x64.exe)
4. Follow the installation wizard
5. Click "Install" and wait for completion

**Direct download link:**
https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/thank-you/sdk-8.0.404-windows-x64-installer

#### Step 2: Install .NET Framework 4.8 Developer Pack

1. Go to: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net48
2. Under "Developer Pack", click **Download .NET Framework 4.8 Developer Pack**
3. Run the installer (ndp48-devpack-enu.exe)
4. Follow the installation wizard
5. Click "Install" and wait for completion

**Direct download link:**
https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/thank-you/net48-developer-pack-offline-installer

### Option B: Visual Studio 2022 Community (Full IDE)

If you prefer a full IDE with all tools integrated:

1. Go to: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/
2. Download **Visual Studio 2022 Community** (free)
3. Run the installer
4. In the workload selection, choose:
   - ✓ **.NET desktop development**
5. Click "Install"

This option includes everything: .NET SDK, .NET Framework targeting packs, MSBuild, and a full IDE.

## Verify Installation

After installing, close and reopen your terminal, then run:

```cmd
dotnet --version
```

You should see output like: `8.0.404` or similar

## Build the Project

Once installed, navigate to the project and build:

```cmd
cd C:\DEV\COPILOT\geutebruck-api\GeViScopeConfigReader
dotnet build
```

If successful, you'll see:
```
Build succeeded.
    0 Warning(s)
    0 Error(s)
```

The executable will be at:
```
C:\DEV\COPILOT\geutebruck-api\GeViScopeConfigReader\bin\Debug\net48\GeViScopeConfigReader.exe
```

## Run the Application

### Step 1: Start GeViScope Server

```cmd
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\GeViScopeSDK\BIN"
GSCServer.exe
```

Leave this running in the background.

### Step 2: Run the Configuration Reader

```cmd
cd C:\DEV\COPILOT\geutebruck-api\GeViScopeConfigReader\bin\Debug\net48
GeViScopeConfigReader.exe
```

Or with custom parameters:
```cmd
GeViScopeConfigReader.exe localhost sysadmin masterkey output.json
```

## Troubleshooting

### "dotnet command not found" after installation

- Close and reopen your terminal/PowerShell
- The installer adds dotnet to your PATH, but you need a fresh session

### "Could not find SDK for TargetFramework '.NETFramework,Version=v4.8'"

- Install .NET Framework 4.8 Developer Pack (Step 2 above)
- The SDK alone is not enough - you need the targeting pack

### Build errors about missing DLLs

- Ensure GeViScope SDK is installed at: `C:\Program Files (x86)\GeViScopeSDK\`
- Check that these DLLs exist:
  - `C:\Program Files (x86)\GeViScopeSDK\BIN\GscDBINET_4_0.dll`
  - `C:\Program Files (x86)\GeViScopeSDK\BIN\GscExceptionsNET_4_0.dll`

## Quick Links

- .NET SDK 8.0: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet/8.0
- .NET Framework 4.8 Developer Pack: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework/net48
- Visual Studio 2022: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/
- GeViScope SDK Documentation: `C:\Program Files (x86)\GeViScopeSDK\Documentation\`

## Next Steps After Building

1. **Test the application** - Connect to your GeViScope server and export configuration
2. **Examine the JSON output** - Review the exported configuration file
3. **Modify as needed** - Edit Program.cs to add custom features
4. **Create similar tool for GeViSoft** - Use Access database connection

---

**Recommendation**: For quickest setup, use Option A (Manual Download). It takes about 5-10 minutes total and gives you command-line build tools without the overhead of Visual Studio.