ASP.NET Web Application Build Output - How do I include all deployment files?

Question

When I build my ASP.NET web application I get a .dll file with the code for the website in it (which is great) but the website also needs all the .aspx files and friends, an

Answer 1

You can Publish Web site..If you want to automate your deployment, you need to use some script.

Answer 2

For the automated building you describe in the update, I would recommend you look into MSBuild and CruiseControl.NET

Answer 3

Have you tried right clicking the website in Solution Explorer and clicking 'Publish Website'?

Answer 4

Have you tried using the aspnet_compiler.exe in your .net framework directory? I'm pretty sure you can create a "deploy ready" version of a web application or web site.

Answer 5

One solution appears to be Web Deployment Projects (WDPs), an add-on for Visual Studio (and msbuild) available that builds a web project to a directory and can optionally merge assemblies and alter the web.config file. The output of building a WDP is all the files necessary to deploy the site in one directory.

More information about Web Deployment Projects:

1. Announcement on webdevtools MSDN blog for WDP 2008
2. ScottGu introduction to WDP 2005

The only disadvantage to this solution is the requirement on an add-on which must be available on the build machine. Still, it's good enough for now!

Answer 6

Build --> Publish

A dialog box will appear that will guide you through the process.