MS-Build, Multi-Targeting and WiX in the Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.0 CTP Forum

Msbuild 4.0 Beta2 Incorrect path in Microsoft.Cpp.Win32.v90.props?

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:24:57 Z

At the beginning of
\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0\Platforms\Win32\PlatformToolsets\v90\Microsoft.Cpp.Win32.v90.props it has:

<Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Platforms\Win32\ImportBefore\*.v90.props" Condition="Exists('$(VCTargetsPath)\Platforms\Win32\ImportBefore')" />

But anything in that path has already been included in:
Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0\Platforms\Win32\Microsoft.Cpp.Win32.props via:
<Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Platforms\Win32\ImportBefore\*.props" Condition="Exists('$(VCTargetsPath)\Platforms\Win32\ImportBefore')" />

The import in Microsoft.Cpp.Win32.v90.props is probably better off as:
<Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Platforms\Win32\PlatformToolsets \ImportBefore\*.v90.props" Condition="Exists('$(VCTargetsPath)\Platforms\Win32\ImportBefore')" />

The same issue exists in Microsoft.Cpp.Win32.V100.props

Steve

Can i have Hybrid("Relative" and "HomeSite") ComponentsLocation of GenerateBootstrapper??

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:22:37 Z

hii,
i have created a setup.exe(Bootstrapper) file using GenerateBootstrapper with WIX v3.5.it smoothly run when ComponentsLocation is either

HomeSite :: when this is ComponentsLocation then it will Download the File and install.
or Relative :: When this is ComponentsLocation then it will Check in the same location where application exist.

But i my scenario i want that when i run setup.exe(Bootstrapper) file then it will first check its local location(like does when componentsLocation is Relative ) and idf found then install ,But if not found in that location then It will Downlaod it from HomeSite(Like does when ComponentsLocation is HomeSite ) and install.

Now Is it possible with GenerateBootstrapper to create setup.exe file with having both of the properties(HomeSite and Relative)??
i hope it wud be possible but how can i do it???

MSBuild for C++ with VS2005

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:59:57 Z

Hi

Does anyone know if it is possible to use the new .NET4 MSBuild to build a C++ project using the VS 2005 compiler and linker?

I'm considering various external build systems for my large C++ project - I need better extension points and compatibility with Continuous Integration tools.
The new MSBuild in .NET4 is an obvious candidate as it now comes with C++ support.
Can I use it with VS 2005, and if so, how do I tell it which compiler to use?
I don't want to use VCBuild as this doesn't have the extension points and flexibility I need.

Thanks in advance,

Ben

FORUM LOCKED: Please use the Visual Studio 2010 & .NET Framework 4 Beta 1 Forums

Wed, 20 May 2009 19:02:00 Z

Thank you for visiting Visual Studio 2010 .Net 4 CTP forums. Since the Beta1 is now available we are closing down the CTP forums and encourage you to visit the new Visual Studio 2010 & .NET Framework 4 Beta 1 forums.

Thanks,

Charles Sterling

Program Manager Visual Studio

Program Manager, Server and Tools Online Operations Team

How to Deploly Databases with VSDBCMD and WIX

Wed, 13 May 2009 05:51:20 Z

Hi,

We are having database projects in VS2008. Currently We are deploying these databases using vsdbcmd (invoking this by batch file). I want to automate this process using wix. Can some one suggest the 1,2 and 3 steps for doing the same.

Thanks in adance.

Does MSBuild in vs2010 support build 1.1 application out of box?

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:45:28 Z

Today my team uses MSBee to build 1.1 application. I wonder if migration to vs2010 (framework 4.0) will allow me to build 1.1 application out of box?

Or is there something like MSBee that make it possible to build 1.1 apps with MSBuild 4.0?

Custom Task and logging errors

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:55:00 Z

Hi,

I have a custom task, and use Task.TaskLoggingHelper.LogError() and similar APIs to log errors, warnings and messages.

As I figure, LogError should show the error on the Error List, LogWarning in the warning list and so on.

But, as I observed all my errors, warnings and messages are being displayed in the output window only.

Am I doing something wrong? As I remember, these used to work in VS 2008.

Thanks,
Prashant.

How to Deploy an Application by Using WiX

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:15:59 Z

Hi, my name is Candy Chiang and I am the PM for the Windows Installer XML (WiX) Toolset in Visual Studio. WiX is a set of tools that offers the ability to build MSI packages with an enhanced set of MSI capabilities. It also includes a set of built-in custom actions to enable MSIs to target various Microsoft platforms such as IIS and SQL.This walkthrough covers the basic steps of creating an MSI package using WiX for a simple C# windows application.

This is the first release of WiX in Visual Studio and we're looking forward to hear your feedback. Please let us know what you think about the scenario covered in this walkthrough as well as other feedback you may have. We are interested in hearing about your overall experience and your thoughts about this new additional into Visual Studio!

If you have not downloaded or would like more information about the CTP, please visit http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=129231.

Thanks,
Candy Chiang
Program Manager

QuestionMSBuild 4.0: Changing command line switch from slash to hyphen

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:41:40 Z

In VS 10 and MsBuild 4.0 the "\Program Files\MSBuild\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0\cl.xml" file contains descriptions of a property, for instance:
    <EnumValue Name="TurnOffAllWarnings" Switch="W0 ">
      <EnumValue.DisplayName>
        <sys:String>Turn Off All Warnings</sys:String>
      </EnumValue.DisplayName>
      <EnumValue.Description>
        <sys:String>Level 0 disables all warnings.</sys:String>
      </EnumValue.Description>
    </EnumValue>

It gives / W0 option in the command line even though the slash seems not to being specified anywhere.

We're creating a similar set of files for our compiler, but it uses options with hyphens.
Is it possible to change the slash (/ ) to hyphen (- ) somehow in the XML description or MSBuild target files?

Anton

QuestionTemplates: ZipProjects and ZipItems targets are absent in Visual Studio 2010 Beta1 SDK

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:39:39 Z

An example XML from Templates.csproj which is workable in VS 2008
<ItemGroup>
    <ZipProject Include="templateitem1.cpp">
      <RootPath>ProjectsTemplates\Project1</RootPath>
    </ZipProject>
</ItemGroup>

Now it's stopped working.

In the most recent Visual Studio 2010 SDK Microsoft.VsSDK.targets file doesn't contain ZipProjects and ZipItems targets and UsingTask specification even though Microsoft.VsSDK.Build.Tasks.dll (version 10.0.20207.0) contains the tasks.

Could you tell how to create project and item templates in a proper way as ZipProject is not available in the SDK?

Anton

MSBuild 4.0: Changing command line switch from slash to hyphen

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:41:35 Z

Anton

Memory not freed by Dev10 after Build Task completes

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:30:15 Z

Hi,

I have a custom task for the Database project. I have been monitoring the memory usage of Dev10 during the build process.

I notice that, after each build the memory used by devenv keep getting higher and higher. Since the Build Task is an external dll, I assume that after a build all the memory used by it will be freed as it finsihes execution.

Is this behavior noticed by anyone else? Can anyone help me out, if I'm doing something wrong?

Thanks,
Prashant.

Migrating Setup projects to WiX

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:10:38 Z

This must surely be a FAQ...

Is there anything available now or will there be anything available to take an 'old' setup project done in VS2008 and convert it to WiX, or do I need to re-write my setup projects?

Thanks

Graham

VCPROJ upgrader - include path and output/temp directory creation issues

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:01:09 Z

Originally posted to the "Core Coding Experience forum", but I think it should actually be here:
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vs2010ctpcpp/thread/dd1969f9-a2c3-4d44-952a-080566c1cb5d

...

I hit two issues when first using the VCPROJ upgrader:

1. Include paths with quotes around them are "upgraded" into VCPROJX files which don't actually work!     I believe this is similar to the issues reported in the following e-mail:

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vs2010ctpcpp/thread/267022c4-e155-4b96-9679-463be84f2e2b#page:9999

This issue can be worked around by manually stripping the quotes from either the source or generated paths, but can be considered a bug in the upgrader.   It takes a valid VCPROJ, which works, and produces an MSBuild file which doesn't work.

If you don't already have a use-case to demonstrate this issue, I can put one together.    I believe you just get an invalid cl.exe command line generated when you try to build.     Just have quotes within the generated MSBuild file around include paths to see the issue.

2. Visual Studio building using VCPROJ generates any required output or intermediate paths implicitly as part of the build process.   That doesn't seem to be happening off-the-bat with the MSBuild C++ build system.     The failure case I hit was that the linker was trying to generate a PDB into a directory which hadn't been created yet - resulting in a build error.

Again, I can put together a use-case if needed, but just point your PDB directory to a non-existent directory to replicate the issue.

Cheers,
Bob

New Features in VS2010 when targeting older frameworks

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:20:01 Z

I have seen the new features in Visual Studio 2010 and some of it are really useful for me. Unfortunately many of my applications run on computers of my customers where .NET Framework 2.0 is installed, but an installation of .NET Framework 3.5 or 4.0 would be very complicated.

What Features of VS 2010 and especially VB.NET 10 can I use when targeting .NET Framework 2.0?
a) Can I use features like auto implementing properties, multiline lamdas, array initializers, the new List Constructors or Generic In/Out types?
b) Can I use the new parallel loops?

Is Multi-Targeting support this feature?

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:04:16 Z

For example: I have one set of source code and I'd like to compile it to target to both .NET Framework and Silverlight. In VS2008, I have to setup two project, one for .NET Framework, one for Silverlight, then I add source code files to one project and in another project use "Add as Link" to add link to the same files. When I add or remove files to one project, I have to add or remove links to another project synchronally.

Could we do it more easily? For example, just select one or more target platform in the project propoty page, then the build system automatically build several target output in different folders. Or I have several project, one "main project" to hold the source code, several "sub project" to hold the links to the source code. When files add to or removed from the main project, the sub projects chanaged automatically.

Is VS2010 support it? Or the required feature is already in VS2008 but I have not noticed it?

Thanks!

Lei Jiang

Lei Jiang

VS 2008 Deployment project & InstallAllUsers setting

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:00:19 Z

I have a 2008 deployment project that builds an MSI and installs an ActiveX. I need this to be installed on a per-user basis. Everything in my project works, the code is properly structured and functional. However, I MUST set the package to install for "Just Me" manually each time I run the installer. I need to make this the default setting and block the UI that would allow the user to change the option to install for "All Users".

The spec says to set "InstallAllUsers=False" to change the default, and "InstallAllUsersVisible=False" to hide the UI.

I have modified the project property for "InstallAllUsers=False" in the property page. However, when the Installation Folder dialog runs during the invokation of the MSI, the "All Users" radio button is still selected by default. It seems as though the UI is ignoring the property.

If I furthermore disable the UI by setting "InstallAllUsersVisible=False" this does work, but as expected from above the wrong default value is being pickedup.

Does anyone have any clue why this is ocurring? Is Visual Studio 2008 broken? I can find NO help on the web or MSDN for deployment projects, no Blogs from the Studio team either.

Add keys to the registry using Wix?

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:03:33 Z

Hi,

I was wondering how can I write values to the registry using VisualStudio 2010 and a Wix installer?

Thanks,

Eric

Better support of Item metadata in Visual Studio

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:42:54 Z

So, I am in the process of creating a .targets file to include in a few of my projects, and some of the extra targets rely on certian custom metadata to be set to some of the items. When using the project in Visual Studio, the only way I can set and add custom metadata to items is by unloading the project file and typing it in (or loading the project file in an outside editor, then reloading the project in Visual Studio). While possible, it's rather less than adequite. Also, it's not possible to view this custom metadata while the project is loaded in Visual Studio. I noticed this was the same for the current CTP of Visual Studio 2010. I'd like to request a feature for Visual Studio 2010, allowing one to edit, add, and remove custom metadata from the Properties pane, most likely using a collection dialog box, much like with collections for various controls (such as ListView or TabControl) or possibly something simpler or more specific.

Create a Powerpoint File using C Sharp

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:25:36 Z

I have an application which creates chart images on the fly and outputs them as an HTML table .From the HTML Table I need to insert them into a PowerPoint template that has the placeholders for the images. Can someone help/point me in the right direction in how I can place the images in the appropriate locations on the PowerPoint template?

TreeView control question

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:37:12 Z

I'm using a treeview control.
The treeview is on a masterpage, right beside it it has the container.
The user uses the treeview to navigate to aspx pages using this masterpage.
But on each page load the treeview nodes are collapsed to original state.

I want to maintain the nodes expanded state.

How can I do that?

wpf click once deploiment and piracy

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:30:52 Z

Is it possible that a hacker can make a copy of a wpf clickonce application that can be downloaded from a web site?

In other words if a wpf click once application can be downloaded from a website
is it possible to make a working copy of the application from the user computer
when the application has been just installed?

cheers

regex pattern

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:33:46 Z

i have a regex pattern in a file, i want to take the specified row which is not matching the regex pattern example regex pattern like [,X325C,][,X325D,][,X325F,],but in this i want to select [,x325A,] field?

How to This operation has been cancelled due to restriction in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator. Click ok

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:31:31 Z

I have seen a lot of times there are policies that are set at company level which can't be disabled. When you want to enable the Clickonce application to run when you have the 'Run only allowed Windows Application' GPO is enabled.

LaunchApp.exe
MyAppName.exe
MyAppName.exe.application
MyAppName.exe.deploy
MyAppName.exe.manifest
MyAppName.vshost.exe
dfsvc.exe
dfsvc.ni.exe
AppLaunch.exe
rundll32.exe
dfshim.dll
dfdll.dll

Windows XP Styles & Shell Property Pages

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:34:10 Z

Dear Users, i've got a little problem.

I tried all possible ways i know, to add XP Styles to my property sheet but they didn't worked.

The manifest's and InitCommonControlsEx don't worked out.

Now i ask you, maby you have an idea how to do this.

Thanks for any Answer

ps: i hope this is the right forum for this thread

Computer in public place

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:53:12 Z

I want to have a computer in a public place to collect emails.

I need to know:
--how to keep my app "always on top"
--how to keep people from being able to access windows (ctl-alt-delete)

I'm not sure if this is even a programming question or a Windows admin question. I looked around and didn't know how or where to begin. My area of interest is in web programming, so please don't throw rotten cabbage at me if the question is misplaced.

Thanks!!!

.NET Framework 4.0 beta distrib

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:27:00 Z

Hello,
I've rebuild personal soft under VS10 made originally under VS 9.
Then I've wished to make a comparison between the two build under real condition, not on the CTP.
Sure .NET Framework 4.0 isn't out on XP, so my soft don't work.
I've seen on Technet .NET Framework 4.0 is, for now, only for Vista 32 & 64 and Windows Seven.

My questions are:
Is there planing to be have a .NET Framework 4.0 for XP ?
If yes, When ? (Beta, CTP or else, like a sort of "mini-distrib for testing purpose" will good too.)

Thank you in advance.
(Sorry for my english)

The Pixel

Digitally sign a MSI file

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:44:10 Z

I created a Setup Project in VS 2008 and it builds a MSI file. Now I distribute this MSI file but it is not signed.
When someone tries to run the MSI, he gets a warning about the file not being signed.
I could not find a place where I could sign this MSI output.
I have a code signing certificate, I just can't find a way to use it.
Any ideas? Thanks

why multiple instance of Window Service run when service starts

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:30:34 Z

hi,

We deployed a window service in windows server 2003, the service run on system timer, and every day it send the mail to the relevent users.

The problem happens when we stop and start the service. At the time of start, multiple instance of the service run in parallel due to this multiple emails sent to the same users in fraction of times.

How can we overcome this problem

Get the path from where a setup.exe (VSTO) is executed.

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:50:21 Z

Hi all!

I'm facing a situation where:

I'm working to deploy some addins for Office Apps: Word and Excel.

I make the setup.exe, with all the prerequisites, everything is ok, no errors or exceptions. I want to deliver the setup.exe and the msi with all the prerequisites packaged AND TO ADD an XML file (a config file more exactly), but this file I don't have to include it in the "FileSystem" on client's machine. So I add it outside the msi and all the packages(prerequisites).

The question that rises is: How can I get the directory from where the setup.exe will run/execute so that I know where to look for that xml file? For instance, if the user/client will unzip the installation files to D:\blabla\Word, I want to get "D:\blabla\Word", or if the user double click the setup.exe from E:\NewFolder\NewFolder1\NewFolder2 I want to get "E:\NewFolder\NewFolder1\NewFolder2". Is that possible?

I tried to use all of:

System.IO.Path.GetDirectoryName(System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly().Location)
System.Environment.CurrentDirectory
System.IO.Directory.GetCurrentDirectory()
Application.StartupPath

but the first one returns me the TARGET directory for the installation and the other 3 return: C:\Windows\System32.

Thanks,
Nicu

Vista Business vs. Vista Ultimate

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:11:41 Z

In an effort to reduce unnecessary software development testing, does anyone know if Vista Business and Vista Ultimate share the same code base? I know that they have different options, but is the core program basically the same?

Thanks

KUKA robot & ExplorerSim

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:57:06 Z

I am integrating KUKA mobile tutorial 3 from KUKA'a educational framework and ExplorerSim (by TT)...

So that KUKA's robot will be able to move autonomously...

I have enabled it's differential drive in explorerSim.... it is now subscribed and can be controlled by the dash board....

the problem lies with the autonomous navigation......

does KUKA robot needs bumper entity??? ExplorerSim works without it??

Drive is working fine... Laser is working fine.. (i.e. it is generating the map.. if we move the robot by dashboard)

Then why doesn't it move autonomously...?

Kindly help me with this

How to Create an Inline Task

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:47:24 Z

Hi, my name is Chuck England and I a Program Manager for Visual Studio’s Project & Build team here at Microsoft. This includes the Project System inside Visual Studio, MSBuild (shipped as part of the framework), and SCCI integration in Visual Studio.

The Project System is the integral part of Visual Studio that manages your project(s) and solutions. You probably recognize it most as the system you interact with to setup, add files to, and manage your projects and solutions.

MSBuild is a complete build environment. Through its XML file format, you define the build as a set of properties and items that build targets. These targets may be built from our predefined set of tasks, or from those you define yourself.

With this new release of Visual Studio, we have made significant additions and improvements to the Project System and MSBuild.

Walkthrough: How to Create an Inline Task

In this walkthrough, "How to Create an Inline Task", we are highlighting our new feature "Inline Tasks" that allows you to write tasks in C# right inside your MSBuild (Project) file. This means you no longer have to build a separate assembly. It helps make custom build steps easy. Our sample walkthrough highlights how you might write a custom build rule to send an email when your build is complete.

We are really looking forward to hear your feedback. Please let us know what you think about the our scenarios in these walkthroughs, as well as other feedback you may have. We are interested in hearing about your overall experience and your thoughts about these new features into Visual Studio!

If you have not downloaded or would like more information about the CTP, please visit http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=129231.

Thanks,

Chuck England

Visual Studio Platform
Program Manager – Project and Build

Russian Vista Localization

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:26:28 Z

I am working on the localization of our software and the application won't launch in Russian Vista. I have tracked the problem down to the file MFC80RUS.dll or more specifically the fact that the file does not exist. The application does launch under Russian XP. Also MFC80PTG.dll (portuguese) also does not exist, but the application launches under portuguese Vista as well as XP. It seems that when the primary Localized MFC dll does not exist that it searches for a sub language or something like that. Does anyone have any idea why the Russian Vista version would not have a fall back?

Real Programmers don't comment their code. If it was hard to write, it should be hard to understand.

how to run dotnet application in Linux(fedora) using Grasshopper.

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 05:35:51 Z

Sir,

How to install Grasshopper?then how to run dotnet application in linux?means i wanna knw that What is Grasshoper and mono?and what my further step to run dotnet website in linux(fedora)?give me sum tips abt that.

Thanks
Anks Shah

Email-id:-ankit_2705@yahoo.co.in

How to use a different compiler from the IDE

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:53:13 Z

Hi,

I am using Visual Studio 2005 Express Edition. How do I change the compiler used to build my project? I want to use icc.exe instead of cl.exe. I have looked everywhere but I can't find it!

Thank you,

Rodrigo

Multi-Targeting

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:59:16 Z

Hello everyone. I'm Kav Latiolais, Program Manager on Visual Studio for Multi-Targeting in Visual Studio 2010.

Multi-Targeting encompasses a series of features throughout Visual Studio that offer users a first class experience when targeting various framework versions. This means for example that the user is showing type information for their target and designer surface area behaves as it would on the user's target. In Visual Studio 2008 we offered support for frameworks 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 on CLR2. In Visual Studio 2010 we've extended Multi-Targeting to support the new CLR4. Further we've moved to a data driven, extensible, multi-targeting model which will enable Visual Studio 2010 to target selected future releases of the framework without significant servicing.

Multi-Targeting Walkthrough: For the CTP we've enabled a quick code focused multi-targeting scenario to highlight the core IDE changes that underpin target specific experiences. In this walkthrough you will quickly see some of the differences in the IDE that arise from targeting different versions of the .NET Framework.

If you have not downloaded or would like more information about the CTP, please visit http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=129231.

Thanks,
Kav Latiolais
Program Manager
Visual Studio Platform