XmlPoke and unique nodes

Question

I am trying to use an xmlpoke task to update a VS Project File (which is XML). In the Project root, there are multiple PropertyGroup nodes, I am trying to select the first one. The XML looks like this

 <Project>
    <PropertyGroup>
    </PropertyGroup>
    <PropertyGroup>
    </PropertyGroup>
    <PropertyGroup>
    </PropertyGroup>
 </Project>

I am using an xpath of //Project/PropertyGroup[1] to get the first PropertyGroup, but I get the error: “Non-unique xpath given //Project/PropertyGroup[1]”.

edit: sorry, I didn't think it mattered (but it does), Project has a namespace. I put the correct XML with the correct xmlpoke as an answer for any future searchers.

Debauch

Answer 1

Ok, I simplified the XML snippet above too much -- I think someone would have figured it out if I hadn't. The answer is that since Project has a namespace, it needs to be like this

   <xmlpoke file="project_file.csproj" value="v4.0" xpath="//x:Project/x:PropertyGroup[1]/x:TargetFrameworkVersion">
    <namespaces>
      <namespace prefix="x" uri="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003" />
    </namespaces>
   </xmlpoke>

For reference, the Project tag looks like this:

  <Project ToolsVersion="4.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003" DefaultTargets="Build">

Debauch

1+ for finding out yourself. BTW: Don't use // unless you have to. If x:Project is the document element, use /x:Project/.... – Durwyn

Thanks @Tomalak. Just goes to show you that you shouldn't simplify the code too much in a question. You might be wrong about what's important, which is why you can't figure it out in the first place. – Debauch

Absolutely. I've seen many people making up code samples that are so simplified that they actually manage abstract their problem away. :-) – Durwyn