Create Solution/Project programmatically without Visual Studio

Question

I would like to create a Visual Studio Solution and a C# Project programmatically, but without a instance of Visual Studio installed on the machine.

Scenario

I am trying to build a "engine" that will read some metadata in a SQL database and transform them into a UI. The database will be maintained by another people with a Web or WCF interface and I want the Server Application frequently (by schedule or pressing a button) use this informations to create autommaticaly a new version of the software (create solution -> project -> build -> create deployment).

So, I searched about programmatically create Solution and I found only the Automation Model in VS, it's about use an Add-In Project and this don't serves for my propose.

Perhaps I was a little confused in my explanation, so ask me more especific details, so I can be more accurate :)

Thanks for help

oswaldo, did you ever figure this out?

tofutim
– tofutim

2016-08-12 22:16:05 +00:00
Commented Aug 12, 2016 at 22:16 — tofutim
– tofutim, Commented Aug 12, 2016 at 22:16

Hylaean · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-05 13:04:23Z

3

I think generating the solution is a little extreme.

The solution file structure hasn't changed much since 2005 http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb165951(v=VS.80).aspx, and there are a few projects trying to automate their generation, like Premake https://bitbucket.org/premake.

However, the kind of scenario you describe, might be I believe (better?) adressed with t4 templates http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/bb126445.aspx, or only project file generation.

answered Sep 5, 2013 at 13:04

Hylaean

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5 Comments

Oswaldo Over a year ago

Thanks for the response. You clarified me a lot! I think creating manually the .sln file is too hard and i can have compatibility problem in future. About the PREMAKE I don't like to use 3rd part solutions cause never know the software life cycle. So, i will study T4 templates, it can be the way...

Oswaldo Over a year ago

Well, I read the T4 documentation and it's only about generate files with a template, but how to add them to a Project and build/deploy this project?

Hylaean Over a year ago

It's actually pretty well explained here: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee847423.aspx no worries.

Hylaean Over a year ago

Then maybe you don't need to create projects and solution and you should look up the schema aware widgets that already exist in .net and extend them or capitalize on their behavior? Like: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc488523(v=vs.90).aspx

Oswaldo Over a year ago

Forget this... thanks for your time! I am thinking like a Model-Driven Development, but the model will be made dynamicaly with a non-visual enviroment.

Franck · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-05 13:14:22Z

0

What you are describing is possible to do in C# Windows app but tedious and difficult. I remember seeing VB6.0 app like that but here i would suggest you look into WPF. Still it's C# programming but WPF can load dynamically a "window" from a string or a file if you want.

answered Sep 5, 2013 at 13:14

Franck

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