Win8 and WP8 in same SLN?

Question

I want to make my app run in both Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. I think what I want to set up is an SLN that has both app projects, both dependent on a 3rd WinRT class library that has the common code and controls.

The Express tools do not seem to allow this--you have to set up two separate SLNs, and maybe even a 3rd for the WinRT library, and I don't even want to think about how to integrate TFS source control on all of those. Seems like one SLN would really be the way to go.

Do any non-Express (i.e. expensive) versions of Visual Studio support this? Have I missed something that is possible to do with the Express version of VS?

Answer 1

Yes, full versions of Visual Studio can include both projects in the same solution and connect them smoothly to TFS. The express versions are limited to single targets.

--Rob

Answer 2

the only thing that bothers me a little is that you cant have projects with the same name. So i often create a MyApp.WinRT and an MyApp.WP

---

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer - Windows Store Apps Using C#

Answer 3

Thanks for the reply, Rob. I'll go see if I can choke down the cost of a non-Express VS. I use the full versions at work, so I do miss some things when using the Express versions at home anyway.

Answer 4

Yikes, $499?  Totally reasonable for employers, since VS really is the best dev tool in the world, but I can't justify personal costs like that for learning things like Windows phone and tablet development at home. My Phone 7 apps just don't make that kind of money. I was going to improve them and port to Phone 8 and Windows 8 Surface together, but wow.

Well it is awesome good software so I suppose it should be expensive. Thanks for the Express versions Microsoft, even if they're going to be a little underpowered for what I had hoped to do.

Oh, and the Microsoft Store leads you in with a link for VS 2013 Professional "starting at $299", but you follow that link and find out that the only option is actually $499. That's not very nice.