MSBuild SideKick - Fixed to use with Team Build

Update: Downloading the latest version of hte Sidekick tool fixes the problem mentioned here. See this comment from Matan:

"Please download the latest version of the MSBuild Sidekick - that should take care of the non-MSBuild parts not being saved problem.
We've released a patch for it less than a day after the release.

Regarding the absence of Team Build elements from the UI, please note my post about schema-support. This is a known issue and we are working hard to solve it as soon as possible.
"

 

When I first found out about MSBuild SideKick, I was excited. I thought that finally there's a slim chance that I won't have to edit dreaded XML files, and instead use a point and click interface, like god intended. I even pointed to Matan's Blog, which is one of the guys behind this tool so you can send comments his way.

I then tried to edit a TFSBuild.Proj file using MSBuild Sidekick. It seemed to work well except for one major problem:

Sidekick only uses the MSBuild Schema for the various properties inside it, so it leaves out essential properties that Team Build needs like the Build Machine Name. So, when you save the file through Sidekick,  and then check it in and try to run the build through the Team Explorer Addin, you get a nice error message that states that the Build Machine Name is missing from the build type file.

 

So much for helpful. Can someone please pick up the glove on this? It's already dirty, tainted and muddy, and it will be trampled by people jumping up and down with ange if someone doesn't pick that glove up pretty soon (that someone just might be me!)

Published Monday, June 19, 2006 10:55 PM by RoyOsherove

Comments

Monday, June 19, 2006 5:09 PM by Matan Holtzer

# re: MSBuild SideKick - Don't Use it with Team Build!

Hi Roy
Please download the latest version of the MSBuild Sidekick - that should take care of the non-MSBuild parts not being saved problem.
We've released a patch for it less than a day after the release.

Regarding the absence of Team Build elements from the UI, please note my post about schema-support. This is a known issue and we are working hard to solve it as soon as possible.

Thank you for being alert about this. I'll be coming to the Agile Israel meeting next Thursday, to hear you and Justin speak, and I'd be glad to use this opportunity to hear any other comments you might have about the sidekick. With any luck, I might even have some news of my own related specifically to Team Build Types :-)
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 2:27 PM by Sean

# re: MSBuild SideKick - Fixed to use with Team Build

Is this a C# only tool?  I can't seem to get it to open a .vbproj file.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006 3:50 AM by Matan Holtzer

# re: MSBuild SideKick - Fixed to use with Team Build

Sean,
The MSBuild Sidekick should work just fine with .vbproj files.
Though we are not using VB.NET very often in our office, we did perform several tests with basic .vbproj files and didn't notice any special problems.

If you have a specific file that's causing the problem, you can email it to tfs@3vium.com and I'll check it to see why you can't open it in the MSBuild Sidekick.

Thanks,
Matan
Friday, June 23, 2006 9:23 AM by Sean

# re: MSBuild SideKick - Fixed to use with Team Build

Matan,

I ASSumed that VB wasn't supported when the Open dialog listed the file types (*.msbuild;*.csproj;*.proj) and didn't see *.vbproj.  I guess I'm just used to VB not being supported that I didn't even try the *.* option to open a *.vbproj file.

It DOES open *.vbproje files.  Guess I need to go try it out now.

Thanks for the quick response,

Sean