{
  "id": 17281962,
  "title": "Edit C# without braces, without changing your project",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/edit-c-without-braces-without-changing-your-project",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-30T20:16:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/hcumper/edit-c-without-braces-without-changing-your-project-544b"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Many young programmers, accustomed to Python's clean syntax, find C#'s need for braces and semicolons distracting. Veteran coder found relief with ICS — Indented C#, an editor extension that allows programmers to work with an indented view of C# code without altering their project files. The project remains with standard .cs files, and the compiler, Git, and teammates continue to see C# code using traditional braces and semicolons. The extension can be installed from the Visual Studio Marketplace, and a converter is included to work the first time it is used.\n\nAn ICS view appears alongside the existing C# code when a file is opened. For instance, an Invoice.cs file, with a Total method, is displayed in ICS format with indentation showing the structure of the class and method bodies without visual markers. Any changes made in the ICS pane are instantly reflected in the conventional C# view, and vice versa, providing an easy way to see the relationship between edited code and its impact on the project.\n\nTo save the edited code, users must manually save the preview with Ctrl+S, which then updates the original .cs file. The ICS view itself does not create a separate .ics file. Standalone ICS export is available as an optional workflow. The extension respects the structure of the code, so rearranging statements in the indentation view adjusts the structure in the conventional C# view. The extension is free, but a Pro version offers additional automation features.\n\nUsers are encouraged to try editing one file in an existing project and share their experience on how the indented view affects their understanding of the code.",
  "summary": "Many younger programmers grew up on the elegance of Python and get irritated by C# filling their screen with needless squiggles that carry no information that wasn't already right there in the indentation. I'm an old programmer and it irritates me! Relief is at hand. I’ve built ICS — Indented C# , an editor extension that lets you work with an indented view of your C# code. Your project keeps…",
  "key_points": [
    "ICS extension allows editing C# code without braces",
    "Code changes reflected instantly between ICS and standard views",
    "Manual save required to update original .cs file"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}