Cannot add App_Code folder to WebSite project

Question

Using VS2008, I am trying to add an App_Code folder from add-->folder-->Add ASP_NET folder.

The App_Code folder option is there as expected BUT ... it's disabled!?

I am pretty sure I am working with a WebSite project (and not a Web Application) because I can add all the other ASP_NET folders (App_Data - App_themes etc) and also because I don't have the controls declarations in my-code behind (as opposed to Web Application where you have partial classes with controls declaration and eventHandlers etc.). Fact is, if it's not a website project how come I can add the other ASP_NET folders? And also - why I am not getting any designer file with controls declaration etc? This is the way things used to work in VS2005.

If I go ahead and add App_Code folder myself as a normal folder it picks-up the icon of the ASP_NET App_Code folder - so it seems to be working fine.

Still it's bugging me 'cause I can't understand why the opion is disabled in the first place.

Any clue why this is happening?

EDIT: I am trying to create a new web site and I get only the web application template so I doubt I was able to create a website in the first place. A bit confused here!

Answer 1

Are you sure it is web site project and not web application?

Answer 2

No idea why it's happening, but you should be able to just add a new folder in the Solution Explorer and rename/call it App_Code.

Do this in Windows Explorer even, if you like.

Refresh and it'll pick it up.

Answer 3

You add a new folder to project. Then, rename it as App_Code. Visual studio could revise the folder as App_Code folder.

Answer 4

May be if you add .cs file, it will be created?

Did this option worked for you before? Did you do something before it stopped working?

Answer 5

There's really no such thing as a "web site project". Web sites are project-less, in that they don't contain a .csproj (or .vbproj) file in the folder. If you see this file, then it's a "web application" project. Also, if you're selecting from the menu "new project...", then you're not selecting a "web site".

The only way that you're using a web site, is by selecting "new web site" from the VS File menu.

Answer 6

You can only get to the App_Code new folder option in the New ASP.Net Folder drop down if you are working in a Website and not in a web application. Caught me out a few times too. Hope that this helps.

Answer 7

you can't add the App_Code folder to a Web Application because this folder is designed for runtime compilation by asp.net and the Web Application project is designed for you to precompile your website into a dll which you can find in the Bin folder and deploy to your site.

So, for Web App Projects, you should instead Add a folder called something like 'CodeFolder' and then add you class in there. Then right click properties on that class file and set its build config to compile rather than content.