UI FOR MSBUILD

Question

We are shifting from using bat scripts to MSbuild for deployment. I have written msbuild scripts with targets from repository checkout to merge, however now, I need to kick off my build from a web page.

The UI I have planned has a drop down which contains all the web project names and then another drop down which has environment options like test, prod, etc.

So, how can I trigger the build.xml file inside my on click button (say a Build button after selecting the project name and environment) event handler.

The above could be explained keeping just one project and one environment in mind.

Answer 1

I don't think such a UI exists. You'll have to create one yourself using the MSBuild Object Model.

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My Book: Inside the Microsoft Build Engine: Using MSBuild and Team Foundation Build
My Blog: sedodream.com
Visual C# MVP

Answer 2

Thanks for your response.

I am aware that UI doesnt exist, its going to be a custom one. I checked out the Microsoft.Build.BuildEngine, but would that create a dependency on visual Studio while deploying, ideally I do not want any dependency on VSS, I want it to be a stand alone one.

Also, this is for deploying many comlpex web applications. So, let me know if it would work.

Answer 3

MSBuild is shipped with the .NET framework so using the object model doesn't introduce any dependency on Visual Studio.

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My Book: Inside the Microsoft Build Engine: Using MSBuild and Team Foundation Build
My Blog: sedodream.com
Visual C# MVP

Answer 4

Run the bat file on click of build button.

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Sanket Kumar Verma