Visual Studio: Run C++ project Post-Build Event even if project is up-to-date

user_200783 0
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In Visual Studio (2008) is it possible to force the Post-Build Event for a C++ project to run even if the project is up-to-date?

Specifically, I have a project which builds a COM in-process server DLL. The project has a post-build step which runs "regsvr32.exe $(TargetPath)". This runs fine on a "Rebuild", but runs on a "Build" only if changes have been made to the project's source.

If I do a "Build" without making any changes, Visual Studio simply reports that the project is up-to-date and does nothing - the Post-Build Event is not run. Is there any way that I can force the Event to run in this situation? This is necessary since although the DLL itself is up-to-date, the registration information may not be.

regsvr32 post-build-event visual-studio c++
4 Answers

You can use the Custom Build Step property page to set up a batch file to run. This runs if the File specified in the Outputs setting is not found, or is out-of-date. Simply specify some non-existent file there, and the custom build step will always run. It will run even if your project is up-to-date, since the Output file is never found.

user_1656200

The registration information is determined largely by what's in the .rgs file. If that file changes the project will get built. I am not sure how else COM registration can change without making the project dirty. Do you mind providing more details about your particular situation?

user_1294040

In Visual Studio 2017 (perhaps other versions as well), for C# projects (haven't checked for C++ projects per OP's actual question) there is an option for "Run the post-build event:", and one option is "Always", which will run the Post-Build even if nothing has changed, rather than simply reporting that the project is up to date:

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user_16504630
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