Is it possible to use T4 templates or custom tools in VS Express 2012 for Windows 8?

Question

I'm trying to create some demo Metro style application containing class library. This class library needs to support localization. Something which worked in .NET for many years is not working as expected in .NET for Metro and VS 2012 Express.

I asked separate question for the first problem on StackOverflow - adding .resw resource file doesn't create strongly typed class to access resources.

I temporarily overcome the first problem by creating my own custom T4 template for class generation but that is again something which looks unsupported in VS 2012 Express:

• Text Template file is not available in Add New Item dialog
• When I create template manually and configure its custom tool to TextTemplatingFileGenerator I'm still unable to run it in VS 2012 Express RC for Window 8. When I try to run it from context menu by selecting Run Custom Tool I receive generic: The operation cannot be completed.
• If I open the project in VS 2012 Ultimate RC I'm able to run the custom tool and execute my T4 template to generate resource class.

Why is text templating (and maybe also custom tool execution) missing / not working in VS 2012 Express RC for Windows 8. Is it bug which will be fixed in the final version?

Answer 1

Hi Ladislav,

unfortunately, it doesn't look like texttemplatingfilegenerator is in post-RC builds of Visual Studio Express 2012 for Windows 8.  Apparently, this is by design.  I have notified some devs in the product group to see if this is a possibility for the future.

I also tried to get the assembly and registry entries for that custom tool generator by installing the VSSDK but the installation has roadblocks requiring non-Express editions of VS.

thanks!

mike

Answer 2

Hi Mike,

can I ask why it is "by design"? Text templating is available in other Express editions (at least in Express for Web) so it doesn't look like a feature which is only in commercial editions.

I've also tried to use default ResXFileCodeGenerator custom tool for .resx files because .resw file has the same structure but the tool is for normal .NET framework, not for .NET framework for Metro application so it doesn't generate correct class (but it is possible to execute the tool in Express edition).

Best regards,
Ladislav

Answer 3

I just started a project called ResW File Code Generator on CodePlex that you might find interesting

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Christian Resma Helle - Commentor A/S