Software Technology Tips

3. Calling the OnStart() method from another Main() function ( DO NOT need to INSTALL the service)

   Saving the best for last! :)
  In this method you don't need to install the service. Just use the technique given below.

-- Add a new class to your project. For eg : DebugService.cs
-- Then add the following code in that class:

 class DebugService
 {
   static void Main()
   {

#if DEBUG

     ServiceDemo obj = new ServiceDemo(); // Create object of your Service's class.
     obj.OnStart(); // Call the public OnStart() method, as mentioned in the next step.
     System.Threading. Thread.Sleep(System.Threading.Timeout.Infinite);

#endif

   }

 }

-- Now get back to your windows service class. Then add a public OnStart() method which will call the protected OnStart() method..

 public void OnStart() // This is another Onstart method which is public in nature.
 {
   this.OnStart(null); // Here it calls the protected OnStart() method of your service.
 }

-- Right click on your project in the Solution Explorer then go to the Properties of it, there you can find the 'Startup Object' field. Now set the Startup Object as DebugService ( the new class where you wrote the Main() function)
-- Set a breakpoint and start debugging directly from Visual Studio by pressing F5.