CODEWITHSUNDEEP
visual-studiobuildcompilationsolution
clems
clems

Reputation: 73

How can I programmatically build a Visual Studio solution?

I would like to compile a solution by passing the solution file path (.sln file) and the build mode (debug, release).

I do not want to call a command line process like devenv.exe or msbuild.exe. Instead I would like to use an API and know if there were compile errors.

Is it possible?

Please provide samples if you think you know how to do that.

Upvotes: 7

Views: 7727

Answers (4)

CJBrew
CJBrew

Reputation: 2787

I'd also suggest using the MSBuild API. It seems to work quite well. However, it has significantly changed as of .NET 4 and Visual Studio 2010.

Upvotes: 0

Andrew Keith
Andrew Keith

Reputation: 7563

Here is an article discussing using the C# compiler programmatically. Here is an article discussing the SLN file format. The SLN file is an XML file, so it's pretty easy to read it.

Upvotes: 1

Matthew Whited
Matthew Whited

Reputation: 22433

As itowlson pointed out, you could also use the Build Engine APIs.

... from MSDN ...

// Build a project file
bool success = engine.BuildProjectFile(@"c:\temp\validate.proj");

You can use MSBuild from a script such as a batch file. And just check the ErrorLevel for something other than 0... or you can have fun with the APIs.

C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\MSBuild.exe

.. from msbuild.exe /? ...

Microsoft (R) Build Engine Version
2.0.50727.4927 [Microsoft .NET Framework, Version 2.0.50727.4927]
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation
2005. All rights reserved.

Syntax: MSBuild.exe
[options] [project file]

...

Examples:

    MSBuild MyApp.sln /t:Rebuild /p:Configuration=Release
    MSBuild MyApp.csproj /t:Clean /p:Configuration=Debug

Upvotes: 2

stimms
stimms

Reputation: 44054

You're going to have to launch a process at some point to do the compilation, so you might as well spawn a process to kick off the compilation. It is going to be much easier than struggling with an API.

Andrew gives some good advice about how you might go about it, but I still think it is a mistake.

Upvotes: 3

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