VS 2008 uses .NET v3.5 compiler although target is v2.0

Question

Hi!
I have an application that has v2.0 as .NET Target version. I noticed on Output window that VS uses compiler of .NET v3.5 to build the application. I also noticed that still v2.0 System assemblies are used. Here is part of the command line I see:

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.5\Csc.exe
    /noconfig /nowarn:1701,1702 /errorreport:prompt /warn:4 /define:DEBUG;TRACE
    /reference:C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\System.Data.dll
    /reference:C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\System.dll
    /reference:C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\System.Xml.dll
    /debug+ /debug:full /optimize-
    ... ... ... ... ...

I come to the following conclusions. Please correct me if I'm wrong:

1. The output assembly will require v2.0 of framework as prerequisite. v3.5 will not be used.
2. Although I'm working with v.2.0 as target version, I can still use some of the new v3.5 compiler functionality, such as implicit typed variables (var) or automatic properties.
   

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Dimitris Papadimitriou, Software Development Professional

Answer 1

You have come to the correct conclusions on both issues.

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Dependency Visualizer - http://www.codeplex.com/dependencyvisualizer

Answer 2

Thanks for your feedback.
This is unbelievable feature!!! 1000 thumbs up for the C# compiler team!!!

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Dimitris Papadimitriou, Software Development Professional