Can the working directory be set in the project (.vcproj) file?

Question

I have a script that generates a .sln file and a few .vcproj files for visual studio 2005. I need to set the WorkingDirectory option but its specified in the .user file. A file we cannot currently generate. I found the vcproj file definition at msdn, but it seems that this option cant be set from there.

How does one specify "Configuration Properties->Debugging->Working Directory" from the .sln or .vcproj file?

Internecine

I think it is ridiculous that there is no simple solution yet to this problem. You are not supposed to commit your .user files to a VCS either, so this problem scales to non-generated solutions. – Entail

We fell back to using a please-run-me-after-checkout script. But like Alan BcBee's answer, it feels overly hacky. It makes the perfectionist in me a bit sad every time I see the file. Still hunting for a decent solution. :) – Internecine

See change the working directory through VC++ property sheet. – Sejm

Answer 1

After you change your settings, and close the sln you will get a user file named something like:

Project_Name.vcproj.Domain.user_name.user

Change it to: Project_Name.vcproj.user and commit.

The next person who checks out the code will use this user file to create their user specific one.

Deathday

You may wish to clear values of fields like 'RemoteMachine' in this file before placing it in the repo. – Santoyo

Answer 2

Change from my comment. I did find the property:

VCDebugSettings.WorkingDirectory

Use Visual Studio Extensibility to create an add-in or macro that calls this method. You should be able to hook into a BeforeCompile event or something to set it.

Not an easy answer, but doable.

Tharp