MSBuild .Targets File

.Targets File is automatically imported into VS project file to simplify maintenace and readability.

 

It's very useful when you need change the reference binaries path frequently.

The following is a template file.

XXX.targets

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<Project xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
  <PropertyGroup>
    <XXXLibraryHome>XXX/Libraries</XXXLibraryHome>

    <!-- Core References -->
    <CoreHome>$(XXXLibraryHome)/Core</CoreHome>
    <CoreVersion>qa/1.6.0</CoreVersion>
    <CoreType>Release</CoreType>

    <CoreLibraryHome>$(CoreHome)/$(CoreVersion)/$(CoreType)</CoreLibraryHome>                  

  </PropertyGroup>
</Project>

 

In order to switch to use different .targets file, you can define a file like below

LoadXXX.targets

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<Project DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
  <Import Project="XXX.targets.local"
     Condition="Exists('XXX.targets.local')"/>
  <Import Project="XXX.targets"
         Condition="!Exists('XXX.targets.local')"/>
</Project>

 

How to use the .targets file in our VS project ?

1. Create the XXX.targets and LoadXXX.targets files following template above

 

2. Import LoadXXX.targets in project file.

<Project DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">

    <Import Project="XXX/LoadXXXtargets" />

    ...

</Project>

 

MSDN Link: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms164312.aspx