Can I build multiple configurations of a project within one solution configuration?

Question

I would like to build the same project twice in the same solution configuration, varying some #define flags to toggle features. Both binaries will be deployed with different na

Answer 1

Just figured out a way to do what you asked for. Create one msbuild file (I named mine multiple.proj) and add the script below.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Project xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
  <Choose>
    <When Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Debug|AnyCPU'">
      <ItemGroup>
        <ProjectToBuild Include="$(MSBuildProjectName).csproj">
          <Properties>Configuration=Release</Properties>
        </ProjectToBuild>
      </ItemGroup>
    </When>
  </Choose>
  <Target Name="BeforeBuild">
    <Message Text="Building configuration $(Configuration)..." />
  </Target>
  <Target Name="AfterBuild">
    <MSBuild Projects="@(ProjectToBuild)"/>
  </Target>
</Project>

</type>
</this>

Import the script on your projects (csproj or vbproj):

<Import Project="..\multiple.proj" />

This script tells msbuild to build again your project with another configuration as an AfterBuild event. I used Debug/Release to make the example, but you can easily change the script to support other configurations, or make the decision to build again based on other variables.

Be careful because you're running two builds at once, so build errors can be harder to understand.

Hope this helps.