Using MSBuild with Multiple Source Files

C# Tutorials - Herong's Tutorial Examples

∟Using MSBuild with Multiple Source Files

A tutorial example is provided on how to specify the 'Csc' command patch name and output file name using properties.

To resolve the problem in the previous tutorial, we need to inform MSBuild where the "Csc" command is located. This can be done by using the "ToolPath" attribute: ToolPath="C:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319".

Or we can define a property called "NET" as a variable to hold the path value, as shown in the next project file example:

<!-- SwapTest.proj
// Copyright (c) 2016 HerongYang.com. All Rights Reserved.
-->
<Project xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
  <PropertyGroup>
     <NET>C:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319</NET>
     <AssemblyName>SwapTest</AssemblyName>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <Compile Include="Util.cs" />
    <Compile Include="SwapTest.cs" />
  </ItemGroup>
  <Target Name="Build">
    <Csc ToolPath="$(NET)" Sources="@(Compile)"
       OutputAssembly="$(AssemblyName).exe"/>
  </Target>
</Project>

More features are used in this MSBuild project file:

"PropertyGroup" is used to define properties. Once a property is defined with a value, it can be referenced as $(property-name) in other attributes in the project file.
"ItemGroup" is used to specify multiple "Compile" source files.
"Csc[@ToolPath]" attribute is used to specify where (path) to find the "csc" program file.
"Csc[@OutputAssembly]" attribute is used to specify the output file name for the "Csc" command.

Make sure that SwapTest.cs and Util.cs from earlier tutorials are in the current folder. Then run MSBuild with the above project file:

C:\herong>set "NET=\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319"

C:\herong>%NET%\msbuild SwapTest.proj
Microsoft (R) Build Engine version 4.6.1055.0
[Microsoft .NET Framework, version 4.0.30319.42000]
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Build started 10:39:18 PM.
Project "C:\herong\SwapTest.proj" on node 1 (default targets).
Build:
  C:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\Csc.exe
  /out:SwapTest.exe Util.cs SwapTest.cs

Done Building Project "C:\herong\SwapTest.proj" (default targets).

Build succeeded.
    0 Warning(s)
    0 Error(s)

Time Elapsed 00:00:00.35