vb2010 (EXPRESS) isn't doing a complete build when I delete the "bin" and "obj" folders

Question

Is there a way to make the express version do a "clean build"?

Some of my project compilations have developed a problem which prevents debugging.

"The breakpoint that isn't working will display a message if highilighted with the mouse. The breakpoint will not currently be hit.  No symbols have been loaded for this document."

I've been reading tons of discussion about this problem here and around the web. There seems to be no methodical "fix" - just a lot of suggestions that worked for one and noone else.

The difference I've seen between the project folders for an app that will debug vs one that will not debug is that there is no ".pdb" file in the folder where the application to be debugged is running.  Debug (F5) or "Build" no longer create this file.

Many of the discussion participants suggest deleting the "obj" and "bin" folders before compiling - on the assumption that this will "force" a "clean build" - is that supposed to be true?  My express version has no "clean build" option, and deleting the obj and bin folders doesn't cuase them to be completely rebuilt.

Is "msbuild" the only way to force a complete build when you have the express version?

Also - how do I determine/control which net framework vision vs2010 express is using?

I ask because some of the "fixes" involve reinstalling net framework 2.0 (and reinstalling "sdx").

thanks

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ftbrady

Answer 1

Update:

I was able to do a "clean build" (ran msbuild /t successfully).  However, it did nothing to help my debug problem. ".pdb" file was still not created.

I've concluded after reading all day that the VB.NET VB2008/VB2010 products (let alone the "express" versions") are less stable than beta versions.

thanks

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ftbrady

Answer 2

Hi Ftbrady,

Welcome to the MSDN Forum.

Please keep the bin folder, you can delete all things in bin folder, but don't delete this folder.

So now, please create this folder manaully and try it again.

I hope this will be helpful.

Best regards,

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Mike Feng
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help.

Answer 3

Hi ftbrady,

Can I ask whether you are currently in debug or release compile mode?

I've recently started a job where, (for whatever reason), they only use the Express editions of the IDE's and couldn't for the life of me get a release build to happen, in the end I discovered that I needed to change the settings options to Tools-->Settings-->Expert Settings and then select Configuration Manager from the Build menu.

Once in here you can switch between Debug and Release.

I've been using Visual Studio since VB4 and this took me an hour to figure out, (I wish we had the real versions).

Hope this is what you're after!

 (Please mark answer if so).

Answer 4

I want to thank tyrunn and mike feng for responding and apologize for not acknowledging them.  I was relying on the email alert feature but I may have missed it.  I had "fixed" the problem by saving my project modules and deleting the project - then I recreated the project and introduced my saved modules.  Very clumsy, but it worked.  Now I am experimenting with the debug/release options trying to learn enough to prevent this from happening again.  All's well that......

thanks again

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ftbrady

Answer 5

Hi tyrunn

Another flavor of problem has come up regarding "configuration manager" - I added a new application recently and I find there is no Configuration Manager.  I went to Tools-->Settings and checked Expert Settings, but Configuration Manager does not show up in the Build Menu. It only shows Build Project and Publish Project.  I also tried to add Configuration Manager to the tool bar - it was added, but it is grayed out.  I've surfed the Configuration Manager topic on other forums but they seem to be discussing implementation of a configuration manager IN an application.  I'm trying to get the compiler Configuration Manager to show up.  By the way, all of my 8 other VB 2010 Express projects have a Configuration Manager option in the build menu.

Thanks

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ftbrady