C# / VS2008: Add separate debug / release references to a project

Question

When adding a user control or a project reference to a VS 2008 C# project, I can add only one configuration of the assembly. Is it possible to add separate configurations, d

Answer 1

While @Marc Gravell's suggestion will work, is there a reason that you don't want both projects in the same solution? If they are in the same solution, you can add a Project Reference when referencing the User Control project to the sample app's project. When a Project Reference is used, Visual Studio will automatically add the Debug version for a Debug build, and the Release version for the Release build.

Answer 2

You can do this by editing the csproj file; add a "Condition" attribute to the reference.

<Reference Include="Foo" Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Debug'"/>
<Reference Include="Bar" Condition="'$(Configuration)'=='Release'"/>

However, I would have concerns about what this means for unit testing.

Answer 3

Instead of adding reference to a .dll directly, which forces you to choose between the .dll from debug or release folder, you should add reference by choosing 'Project reference'. This link explains how to add reference through .dll vs project-project reference. For your purpose, you should choose the latter.

Also refer to my answer to know when to add reference as a .dll vs reference as a project.

Answer 4

<Reference Include="MyLibrary">
  <HintPath>..\$(Configuration)\MyLibrary.dll</HintPath>
</Reference>

This add a reference "..\Debug\MyLibrary.dll" if compiled in debug mode or ..\Release\MyLibrary.dll" if compiled in release mode.