6_OptimiseBuildTimeOfDotNetApplications.txt

.NET is a popular framework for building Windows applications, web applications, and services. However, as the size and complexity of your .NET project grow, so does the build time. Slow build times can be frustrating for developers, as they can significantly impact productivity and development timelines. In this blog, we will discuss some best practices for reducing build time for .NET applications in local and production environments.

Use a Build Server
One of the best practices for reducing build time is to use a dedicated build server. A build server is a dedicated machine that is used for building and compiling code. Using a build server can greatly reduce build times by offloading the build process from your local machine. This can free up your local machine's resources for other tasks, such as debugging and testing.

There are several build servers available for .NET applications, such as Jenkins, TeamCity, and Azure DevOps. These build servers can be configured to automatically build your application whenever new code is committed to the repository. They can also be used to perform other tasks, such as running unit tests, deploying the application to a staging environment, and creating build artifacts.

Use Incremental Builds
Incremental builds are another best practice for reducing build time. An incremental build only compiles the changes made to the codebase, instead of recompiling the entire application. This can save a significant amount of time during the build process, especially for large applications with many files.

To enable incremental builds in Visual Studio, go to the Build tab in the project properties and select "Incremental" under the "Build output" option. You can also enable incremental builds through the command-line interface by passing the /t:rebuild flag to the MSBuild command.

Optimize Your Code
Optimizing your code is another way to reduce build times. Writing efficient code can help your application run faster, which can also reduce build times. Here are some best practices for optimizing your code:

Use lazy loading: Lazy loading is a technique that defers the loading of resources until they are needed. This can reduce the amount of time it takes to load your application.
Use asynchronous programming: Asynchronous programming is a technique that allows your application to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. This can improve the performance of your application and reduce build times.
Use caching: Caching is a technique that stores frequently accessed data in memory, which can reduce the amount of time it takes to retrieve the data from disk or the network.
Use a Fast SSD
Using a fast solid-state drive (SSD) can significantly reduce build times, especially when dealing with large codebases. A fast SSD can help reduce the time it takes to read and write files during the build process. If you're using a laptop or desktop computer, consider upgrading to an SSD to improve build times.

Use Precompiled Libraries
If you're using third-party libraries in your application, consider using precompiled versions instead of compiling them from source. This can save time and reduce build times. Most third-party libraries have precompiled versions available that you can download and reference in your application.

Use a Caching System
A caching system can help reduce build times by storing the results of previous builds and reusing them when possible. This can be especially useful if you're working on a large application with a long build time. There are several caching systems available for .NET applications, such as Redis and Memcached.

Use Parallel Builds
Parallel builds allow multiple projects to be built simultaneously, which can greatly reduce build times. Visual Studio has built-in support for parallel builds, which can be enabled in the project properties