Problem Executing Batch File in Pre-Build Event

Question

I\'m trying to execute a batch file during a pre-build event. I have a new project and have added foo.bat to it. The file contains the following line:

Answer 1

The current working directory of the pre-build and post-build events is the output directory specified by the macro $(OutDir), not the project directory.

The following tags in "C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\Microsoft.Common.targets" specify this:

<Target
    Name="PreBuildEvent"
    Condition="'$(PreBuildEvent)'!=''"
    DependsOnTargets="$(PreBuildEventDependsOn)">

    <Exec WorkingDirectory="$(OutDir)" Command="$(PreBuildEvent)" />
</Target>

<Target
    Name="PostBuildEvent"
    Condition="'$(PostBuildEvent)' != '' and ('$(RunPostBuildEvent)' != 'OnOutputUpdated' or '$(_AssemblyTimestampBeforeCompile)' != '$(_AssemblyTimestampAfterCompile)')"
    DependsOnTargets="$(PostBuildEventDependsOn)">

    <Exec WorkingDirectory="$(OutDir)" Command="$(PostBuildEvent)" />
</Target>

Answer 2

I solved the problem by creating the .bat file from windows explorer, and then in turn including it into my project, instead of creating in directly in VS 2010.

Answer 3

The problem I suspect is that there's a SPACE character in your folder path.

So this command will probably work for c:\development\projectABC\foo.bat but not for c:\development\project ABC\foo.bat

At least that was the problem for me, there could be other issues, but I suspect this is the most common. The solution: put quotation marks around you batch call:

"c:\development\project ABC\foo.bat"

Answer 4

1) see error details by View => Output 2) try call "$(SolutionDir)\xx\xx.bat"

Answer 5

Right click the project --> select properties --> select build event Tab Then Clear the Pre-Build event comment lines.

Answer 6

I got this working and I figure a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is the full setup in a single screenshot.