How to compile a solution that uses unsafe code?

Question

How to compile a Visual Studio 2010 solution using xbuild that uses unsafe code?

Currently I get this error:

Implementation/MaximumImageColorClassifier.cs(35,13): error CS0227: Unsafe code requires the `unsafe' command line option to be specified

But running:

xbuild -unsafe [solution file]

or:

xbuild /unsafe [solution file]

Gives an error:

MSBUILD: error MSBUILD0004: Too many project files specified

xbuild help shows that that's the proper syntax:

xbuild /? ... xbuild [options] [project-file]

But there is no unsafe option, and no "generic" option to provide some compilation flags.

I saw this question: Can I pass an argument to msc through xbuild on the command line? but it has no definite answer and maybe there is a specific workaround for unsafe code?

Also, in my case xbuild is using dmcs compiler.

Kleenex

Answer 1

Eventually, I've found the solution myself. It is to put:

    <AllowUnsafeBlocks>true</AllowUnsafeBlocks>

in csproj file, under appropriate PropertyGroup (related to the configuration xbuild is using to build the solution). It is correctly interpreted and unsafe code compiles fine.

Kleenex

where exactly do you add this? – Accepted

@Accepted You should have a PropertyGroup tags for release and debug builds (and possibly some other build configurations you have) in your csproj file. It should go as a child element of each of these. – Kleenex