How do I compile a Visual Studio project from the command-line?
I know of two ways to do it.
Method 1
The first method (which I prefer) is to use msbuild:
msbuild project.sln /Flags...Method 2
You can also run:
vcexpress project.sln /build /Flags...The vcexpress option returns immediately and does not print any output. I suppose that might be what you want for a script.
Note that DevEnv is not distributed with Visual Studio Express 2008 (I spent a lot of time trying to figure that out when I first had a similar issue).
So, the end result might be:
os.system("msbuild project.sln /p:Configuration=Debug")You'll also want to make sure your environment variables are correct, as msbuild and vcexpress are not by default on the system path. Either start the Visual Studio build environment and run your script from there, or modify the paths in Python (with os.putenv).
MSBuild usually works, but I've run into difficulties before. You may have better luck with
devenv YourSolution.sln /Build
To be honest I have to add my 2 cents.
You can do it with msbuild.exe. There are many version of the msbuild.exe.
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v2.0.50727\msbuild.exe C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v3.5\msbuild.exe C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\msbuild.exe
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\msbuild.exe C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.5\msbuild.exe C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\msbuild.exe
Use version you need. Basically you have to use the last one.
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\msbuild.exe
So how to do it.
Run the COMMAND window
Input the path to msbuild.exe
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\msbuild.exe
- Input the path to the project solution like
"C:\Users\Clark.Kent\Documents\visual studio 2012\Projects\WpfApplication1\WpfApplication1.sln"
Add any flags you need after the solution path.
Press ENTER
Note you can get help about all possible flags like
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\msbuild.exe /help