MSBuild: building website using AspNetCompiler - adding references?

Question

Hi,

I'm attempting to build a ASP.NET website using MSBuild - specifically the AspNetCompiler tag. I know that, for my project, I need to add some references. Within Visual Studio I have several references, one is a project reference and the others are some DLLS (AjaxControlToolkit etc). I'm happy not referencing the project and referencing the DLL instead - however I just can't work out how to add a reference. I've looked up and down and this is what I've found so far:

<Target Name = "PrecompileWeb">
                <AspNetCompiler
                        VirtualPath = "DeployTemp" 
                        PhysicalPath = "D:\AutoBuild\CruiseControl\Projects\Websites\MyCompany\2.0.0\WorkingDirectory\VSS"
                        TargetPath = "D:\AutoBuild\CruiseControl\Projects\Websites\MyCompany\2.0.0\PreCompiled"
                        Force = "true"
                        Debug = "true"
            Updateable = "true"/>
        </Target>

Also - I've picked up this bit of code from around the web somewhere, which I thought might help:

<ItemGroup>
     <Reference Include="My.Web.DataEngine, Culture=neutral, processorArchitecture=MSIL">
      <SpecificVersion>False</SpecificVersion>
      <HintPath>D:\AutoBuild\CruiseControl\Projects\Components\My.Web.DataEngine\bin\Debug\My.Web.DataEngine.dll</HintPath>
    </Reference>
</ItemGroup>

What I want to do is add a attribute to the AspNetCompiler tag, something like:

References="@(Reference)"

but MSBuild isn't very happy about this.

I've been a bit stuck in not being able to find decent references on doing this anywhere: so I'd really apprechiate some pointers or reference material etc. (or just the answer!)

Thanks for you help.

-tom

Answer 1

The aspnet_compiler tool doesn't have a reference property.

Have you looked at using Web Deployment Projects (2005 version)?