Automatically nest files in .csproj class libary (DependentUpon)

user_114 0
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I have a number of C# files I am generating. I would like them to automatically be nested under the matching C# file inside the Visual Studio solution explorer. For example, Foo.Generated.cs and Bar.Generated.cs would be nested under Foo.cs and Bar.cs, respectively.

If possible I'd like to be able to manage this in my Directory.Build.props file, so all the class libraries in my solution will have the same behavior.

Versions

  • .NET Core 3.1
  • Visual Studio 2019 (16.5.3)

Failed Attempt A:

<Compile Update="**\*Generated.cs">
  <DependentUpon>$([System.String]::Copy(%(Filename)).Replace('.Generated', '.cs'))</DependentUpon>
</Compile>

Failed Attempt B:

<Compile Update="**\*Generated.cs">
  <DependentUpon>%(Filename)</DependentUpon>
</Compile>

Failed Attempt C:

<Compile Update="**\*Generated.cs">
  <DependentUpon>%(Filename).cs</DependentUpon>
</Compile>

The above approaches have also been tried with:

<ItemGroup>
  <ProjectCapability Include="DynamicDependentFile" />
  <ProjectCapability Include="DynamicFileNesting" />
</ItemGroup>
.net-core csproj visual-studio msbuild c#
1 Answers

If possible I'd like to be able to manage this in my Directory.Build.props file, so all the class libraries in my solution will have the same behavior.

First, I think you should use Directory.Build.targets rather than Directory.Build.props. As this document shows, Directory.Build.props is imported very early in Microsoft.Common.props and Itemgroup elements are recognized after MSBuild Properties, so when you add items in Directory.Build.props, these elements will not be recognized by MSBuild.

However, Directory.Build.targets is imported very late which MSBuild already starts to recognize them at that time and with it, you can add any items that can be recognized in that file.

Solution

1) change your file to Directory.Build.targets

2) add these(yours) in it:

<Compile Update="**\*Generated.cs">
  <DependentUpon>$([System.String]::Copy(%(Filename)).Replace('.Generated', '.cs'))</DependentUpon>
</Compile>

And it works in my side and hope it could help you.

user_124507470
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