What is a target in MSBuild?

A target element can have both Inputs and Outputs attributes, indicating what items the target expects as input, and what items it produces as output. If all output items are up-to-date, MSBuild skips the target, which significantly improves the build speed. This is called an incremental build of the target.

What are target files?

targets files that contain items, properties, targets, and tasks for common scenarios. These files are automatically imported into most Visual Studio project files to simplify maintenance and readability. Projects typically import one or more . targets files to define their build process.

What is Visual Studio target?

-target:exe. Causes the compiler to create an executable console application. This is the default option when no -target option is specified. The executable file is created with an .exe extension.

Where is Msbuildtoolspath?

Under C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\14.0\Bin there are other files like: Microsoft. Common. targets, Microsoft.

How use MSBuild command line?

To run MSBuild at a command prompt, pass a project file to MSBuild.exe, together with the appropriate command-line options. Command-line options let you set properties, execute specific targets, and set other options that control the build process.

Where is Microsoft common targets?

NET projects are defined in the Microsoft. Common. CurrentVersion. targets file which can be found in the MSBuild bin directory.

How do I open a target file?

1 Answer. Use the target definition editor to open the target file. You will need to have the Plug-in development tools (PDE) installed to develop plug-ins for RCP applications. PDE can be installed into an existing IDE from the projects download page.

How do I create a target file?

Creating a flat file target at run time

1. On the. Target. tab of the Target transformation, select a flat file connection.
2. Set the target type to. Single Object. .
3. Click. Select.
4. In the. Target Object.
5. Configure the target file name: To enter a static file name without a time stamp, enter the file name in the.
6. Click. OK.

How do I create a target framework in Visual Studio?

To change the target Framework

1. In Visual Studio, in Solution Explorer, select your project.
2. On the menu bar, select File, Open, File.
3. In the project file, locate the entry for the target Framework version.
4. Change the value to the Framework version you want, such as v3.
5. Save the changes and close the editor.

How do I determine whether to build a target using MSBuild?

Use the Inputs and Outputs attributes of the Target element. For example: MSBuild can compare the timestamps of the input files with the timestamps of the output files and determine whether to skip, build, or partially rebuild a target.

How do I specify inputs and outputs for a target?

To specify inputs and outputs for a target. Use the Inputs and Outputs attributes of the Target element. For example: MSBuild can compare the timestamps of the input files with the timestamps of the output files and determine whether to skip, build, or partially rebuild a target.

What is beforetargets and aftertarget in MSBuild?

BeforeTargets and AfterTargets (MSBuild 4.0) A target never runs twice during a single build, even if a subsequent target in the build depends on it. Once a target runs, its contribution to the build is complete. For details and more information about the target build order, see Target build order.

What is optionaloptional attribute in MSBuild?

Optional attribute. The set of items that will be made available to tasks that invoke this target, for example, MSBuild tasks. Multiple targets are separated by semicolons. If the targets in the file have no Returns attributes, the Outputs attributes are used instead for this purpose.