Add-in for Visual Studio to edit a project file (csproj)

Question

Do you know an add-on for a visual studio that adds properties for C # projects? The csproj file format is very powerful, but only a small number of parameters can be changed on the standard properties page. For example, I want to have several configurations, and each of them should include its own links. Or I just want to change the project type from winforms to wpf or another. To do something like this, the developer should edit csproj with his hands in a text editor instead of using properties. If you know that such an add-in does not exist, do you think that it can be popular on codeplex? or does a small number of developers really need it? What is your opinion?

Answer 1

How does this happen?

To edit project files inside Visual Studio, I use PowerCommands , but the things you can change using the properties are those that are in the Project Menu → Project Properties. What PowerCommands does (among other things ...) allows you to easily edit the XML of a project open inside Visual Studio, so you get all the benefits of using Visual Studio to edit XML. Has the meaning?

XML is hierarchical, so it’s unlikely that you can conveniently place it in the property list better than in a text editor.

O “I want to have several configurations, and each of them must include its own links”, try creating templates for your projects, look there: Visual Studio Templates .

So ... are you looking for add-ons in codeplex? why not take a look at http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com , there are free and paid add-ons, as well as some form of codeplex. While you're on it, look for Power Tool Performance, VSCommands 2010, AllMargins, and VS10x Code Map. I use them all, and they certainly deserve attention. [Hmmm ... I also use CodeRush, you can get CodeRush Xpress for free http://www.devexpress.com ;)]

Hope for help.

Answer 2

A little late, but I wanted to remove VSCommands 2010, because all I use for it is an editing project file, and I don't like to just expand if I don't use them. I learned from this blog:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/habibh/archive/2009/07/01/the-quickest-way-to-edit-a-visual-studio-project-file.aspx

"There is a quick and easy way to edit a Visual Studio project file. When the project is" unloaded ", either because you explicitly decided to unload the project using the" Unload Project "command, or Visual Studio could not load the project for any reason (for example, project failed), you can right-click on the project in the solution explorer and select the "Change" command, as shown below. "

It works like a charm!