Build project with Microsoft.Build API

Question

I\'m trying to build a project using the classes in Microsoft.Build.

The code is:

var project = new ProjectInstance(CS_PROJ_FILE);
project.Build();
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Answer 1

There is apparently a new way to fix this problem, as described here and here.

Here's what worked for me:

1. I deleted Microsoft.Build.dll, Microsoft.Build.Framework.dll, Microsoft.Build.Tasks.Core.dll and Microsoft.Build.Utilities.Core.dll (i.e., all Microsoft.Build .dll files) from my project's output folder.

2. I deleted several Microsoft.Build NuGet packages from my project's references.

3. I installed the Microsoft.Build.Locator NuGet package for my project.

4. I added the following code to my program:

    // This needed after upgrading to Roslyn revision 34025, see these two links:
    //  https://github.com/dotnet/roslyn/issues/26029
    //  https://stackoverflow.com/a/49886334/253938
    MSBuildLocator.RegisterDefaults();
   

This fixed the exception listed by the OP and avoided the tons of compiler error messages about being unable to resolve all references.

Edit: More information here: https://gist.github.com/DustinCampbell/32cd69d04ea1c08a16ae5c4cd21dd3a3

Answer 2

I hit the same error after I installed:

Install-Package Microsoft.Build -Version 15.1.1012

But then I installed:

Install-Package Microsoft.Build.Utilities.Core -Version 15.1.1012

And things started working.

A little confusing...

I was pointed to this stackoverflow question by "dasMulli" at:

https://github.com/Microsoft/msbuild/issues/1889

Answer 3

Micrsoft provides a good link here

The trick is indeed to use nuget pacakges, and to specify ExcludeAssets=runtime to tell NuGet that the assemblies are needed only at build time, and shouldn't be copied to the output directory.