Add files generated by custom task to .csproj

Question

I use a custom task in a .csproj file. The task generates some new files. I want these files to be added to the project during the build, so that they appear in the solution explorer in Visual Studio.

How can I add the files generated by my task to the project?

(I'm using VS2010 beta 2, if that makes any difference).

Thanks,
Mathias

Answer 1

Hi Mathias,

 

In my idea, there are 2 ways to add the generated files into project:

1.     Modifying your .csproj file to pre-add the place holder for these files:

        <ItemGroup>

          <Compile Include="File1.xx" />

          <Compile Include="File2.xx" />

        </ItemGroup>

        So they will appear in Solution Explorer but are not available, after your task execute, it will be available.  In this way, your task must be executed *Before the Build*.

 

2.     Using DTE Automation in your task, adding the generated files programmatically through the ProjectItems.AddFromFile Method, it will be a little complex and you will need to handle the multiple instance of Visual Studio in the ROT, so I recommend the first solution.  If you would like to deep into the DTE Automation, you could go to the VSX Forum and MSDN for more information.

 

Sincerely,

Wesley

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Answer 2

Hi Mathias,

How are you? is your problem resolved? may I know whether the above suggestions helped you?

Thanks
Wesley

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Answer 3

Hello Wesley,

I did not see the Windows Live Alert for your first answer, so I did not reply sooner.

I will test your solutions and then I will let you know if they worked for me.

Thanks,
Mathias

Answer 4

Hi Wesley,

I did not forget to test your solution yet, I just don't have the time right now (I'm at TechEd Europe).

Regards,
Mathias

Answer 5

Hi Mathias,

You're welcome. :)

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Answer 6

Hi Mathias,

 

In my idea, there are 2 ways to add the generated files into project:

1.     Modifying your .csproj file to pre-add the place holder for these files:

        <ItemGroup>

          <Compile Include="File1.xx" />

          <Compile Include="File2.xx" />

        </ItemGroup>

        So they will appear in Solution Explorer but are not available, after your task execute, it will be available.  In this way, your task must be executed *Before the Build*.

 

2.     Using DTE Automation in your task, adding the generated files programmatically through the ProjectItems.AddFromFile Method, it will be a little complex and you will need to handle the multiple instance of Visual Studio in the ROT, so I recommend the first solution.  If you would like to deep into the DTE Automation, you could go to the VSX Forum and MSDN for more information.

 

Sincerely,

Wesley

---

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Hi Wesley,

thank you for your help!

1) would not work for me, as I do not know the file names in advance. I think solution 2) would work.

I also found another approach:

using

 

 

Microsoft.Build.Evaluation;

 

 

var project = ProjectCollection.GlobalProjectCollection.LoadedProjects

.Where(p => p.FullPath.ToLower() == ProjectFile.ToLower())

.FirstOrDefault();

project.AddItem(...)

The only drawback is that VS asks if it should reload the project file whenever I have added new items to the project, but I can live with that.

Regards,
Mathias

Answer 7

Thanks for your sharing, it's cool!

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