How do i deploy SharePoint 2010 Solution (WSP) to SharePoint 2007

Question

Hi i know its a bit sarcastic but i have a simple scenario here, we worked on a visual web part for SharePoint 2010 using VS 2010; it was nice and smooth so we decided to include it on one of our old projects.

First scenario came to my mind (as a developer) to Copy code files from VS 2010 solution to VS 2008 solution, using VSeWSS prepare a new WSP and deploy it. But later i thought it might be doable to just deploy the current WSP; but unfortunately this is not working, and throwing the below error.

Solution manifest for solution 'bac64dd2-95ab-4f22-a4a9-99499652688d' failed val idation, file manifest.xml, line 2, character 110: The 'SharePointProductVersion ' attribute is not declared. SPCurrentWebTreeViewWP.wsp: The Solution installation failed.

What do you suggest as good approach, is it copy and paste ? or play with the Manifest.xml .. Thanks or help

Answer 1

You can't really do that. There is simply too much changes between the 2 versions to allow a SharePoint 2010 Visual WebPaprt into SharePoint 2007. The opposite would be a lot simpler.

I suggest to start looking at the SmartPart (http://smartpart.codeplex.com/), which is the closest thing you will get to the Visual Webpart in 2007.

Answer 2

the error is pretty clear that the manifest files are different in the wsp, I would recommend building it in vs2008 and just use the same code blocks. (assuming you are using code that will work in 2007)