The full name of a SLN file is Visual Studio Solution File. The file extension .sln contains project information for applications constructed using Visual Studio. While SLN files are text-based, they also hold information related to graphic interface of your Visual Studio project. The files store data relating to the the preSolution, Project, and postSolution of a Visual Studio application.
Visual Studio Content
- SLN files are a feature of Microsoft's Visual Studio software program. Visual Studio aids in the development of computer applications and databases, from testing the code to providing a platform that enables multiple team members to view and collaborate on a project. SLN files contain content that is specific to this program. A free trial of Visual Studio is available from Microsoft's website, but the full program must be purchased and downloaded to your computer.
Solution Files
- SLN is one of the file extensions assigned to solution files within Visual Studio -- SUO files are also solution files. These files are text-based and contain information about the project state and project environment. SLN files help you organize your project by providing your environment with the locations for the project on the disk.
Graphics
- Another purpose of SLN files is to facilitate the display of graphic interface in the Visual Studio program. The graphic interface makes it possible to manage your application or database, and SLN files retrieve the visual information related to your environment each time you return to the project. The information in SLN files automatically loads the graphic information so that you don't have to recreate it when you return to a project.
Opening SLN Files
- Files with the extension can only be opened in Visual Studio. Multiple versions of the software exist, including Visual Studio .NET 2003, Visual Studio 2003 and Visual Studio 2005. At the time of publication, the latest version of the software is Visual Studio 2010, which also uses SLN files for its data.
