Is there a way of auto-generating elements.xml etc files for sharepoint development?

Question

I have matched the "12 hive" structure in my solution, and I am using SPDeploy to create and deploy .wsp files and to deploy to my test servers.

I am about to add a whole bunch of files throughout the structure and there is quite a lot of redundancy in the elements.xml and feature.xml files. Has anyone done the work to assist in the creation of these files?

Edit: The first commenter is exactly right it is things in the elements.xml that are a pain to hand craft, though I am happy for all my xml to be as auto generated as possible... I think I have some sort of allergic reaction to hand written xml...

Answer 1

Have you tried the WSPBuilder from CodePlex? It generates the necessary feature.xml files for a given feature. Or maybe you are looking for some tool with a GUI for dragging in a bunch of files, and the elements.xml will be updated accordinlgy?

Answer 2

I believe Visual Studio Extensions for WSS version 1.3 (VSeWSS v1.3) does this, but I'm not certain. It seems to be the next progression in development tools for SharePoint. Note that it requires Visual Studio 2008, if I recall correctly.

Here are some links on this that you may find useful:

• http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/kirke/SharePoint-for-Developers-Part-1-Introducing-VSeWSS-13/Default.aspx#Page=1
• http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/kirke/SharePoint-for-Developers-Part-2-Working-with-Features/
• http://wiki.threewill.com/display/enterprise/Visual+Studio+Extensions+for+WSS+(VSeWSS)+1.3

Note that the second blog in the series focuses on features.

Answer 3

If you want auto generated feature.xml files you probably have to switch to VSeWSS 1.3, it's Microsoft's official tool for SharePoint solution building.

But with VSeWSS you will also have to change your solution structure as you cannot match it to the whole 12 hives structure. But it contains other concepts to place files and stuff in 12 hives.

Answer 4

Why not creating your own Visual Studio templates from your project or from specific elements files within your project ? Exporting any file from your project to a template is a great way to reuse painfull hand made CAML files.