Create an application structure

This topic explains how to create an application structure in Visual Studio for either version of the AF SDK:

• The .NET Framework

• The .NET 8 version

Choose the appropriate AF SDK version

To use the .NET Framework version of the AF SDK, the latest .NET Framework needs to be installed. If you want to build .NET Core applications, use the .NET 8 version.

For projects that target .NET 8 or later, the AF SDK can be referenced using the .NET 8 AF SDK NuGet package. To download this package, search for the AVEVA.AFSDK package on the nuget Web site.

Note: The Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable must be installed before you can use the .NET 8 version of the AF SDK. To download the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, see Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable latest supported downloads.

When you create a new project in Microsoft Visual Studio, an outline of a program is created. Follow the steps in this topic to create a program outline for the version of the AF SDK you plan to use.

Start a new program: .NET Framework AF SDK applications

1. Open Visual Studio 2022.

2. Select File, select New, then select Project.

   The New Project window opens.

3. Select Console App (.NET Framework).

4. Enter a name for the project in the Project name field.

5. Select .NET Framework 4.8 as the target framework.

Start a new program: .NET 8 AF SDK applications

6. Open Visual Studio 2022.

7. Select File, select New, then select Project.

   The New Project window opens.

8. Select Console App (.NET Framework).

9. Enter a name for the project in the Project name field.

10. Select .NET 8.0+ as the target framework.

Note: Later topics explain how to customize and extend the application with AF SDK functionality.