Skip to main content

Is it possible to output the command-line used to build a project in Visual Studio?

Now that Whidbey has been out in Beta for more than a few months, it seems worth revisiting some frequently asked questions which have different (better?) answers now.

In Everett (v7.1) the answer used to be No.

However, in Whidbey (v8.0), the answer is Yes (and No).

For the yes part of the answer, after building, go to the Output Window, select "Show Output from: Build", and about half way down you will see a section like this:

Target "Compile" in project "ConsoleApplication1.csproj"

Task "Csc"

Csc.exe /noconfig /warn:4 /define:DEBUG;TRACE /debug+ /optimize- /out:obj\Debug\ConsoleApplication1.exe /reference:C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.31125\System.Data.dll, C:\WINDOWS.0\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.31125\System.XML.dll, C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.31125\System.dll /target:exe /win32icon:App.ico AssemblyInfo.cs Class1.cs

The task is invoking the IDE's in-process compiler to perform the equivalent of the above command-line.

Now for the no part of the answer. The project system does not actually execute this command line as part of the build process. As the output says, the IDE directly calls its own in-process compiler to perform the equivalent. However, in all cases, you should get the same results using the command line suggested in the output window. If you don't, you could be looking at a bug.

Note: before you cut and paste the build output to the command line, remember to add the path to CSC.EXE

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top Open Source Web-Based Project Management Software

This is an user contributed article. Project management software is not just for managing software based project. It can be used for variety of other tasks too. The web-based software must provide tools for planning, organizing and managing resources to achieve project goals and objectives. A web-based project management software can be accessed through an intranet or WAN / LAN using a web browser. You don't have to install any other software on the system. The software can be easy of use with access control features (multi-user). I use project management software for all of our projects (for e.g. building a new cluster farm) for issue / bug-tracking, calender, gantt charts, email notification and much more. Obviously I'm not the only user, the following open source software is used by some of the biggest research organizations and companies world wild. For example, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory uses track software or open source project such as lighttpd / phpbb use re
7 comments
Read more

Google products for your Nokia phone

Stay connected with Gmail, Search, Maps and other Google products. Check products are available for your Nokia phone Featured Free Products Search - Find the information you need quickly and easily Maps - Locate nearby businesses and get driving directions Gmail - Stay connected with Gmail on the go YouTube - Watch videos from anywhere Sync - Synchronize your contacts with Google
5 comments
Read more

My organization went through the approval process of supporting the .NET Framework 2.0 in production. Do we need to go through the same process all...

My organization went through the approval process of supporting the .NET Framework 2.0 in production. Do we need to go through the same process all over again for the .NET Framework 3.0? Do I need to do any application compatibility testing for my .NET Framework 2.0 applications? Because the .NET Framework 3.0 only adds new components to the .NET Framework 2.0 without changing any of the components released in the .NET Framework 2.0, the applications you've built on the .NET Framework 2.0 will not be affected. You don’t need to do any additional testing for your .NET Framework 2.0 applications when you install the .NET Framework 3.0.
1 comment
Read more