Creating and Editing Configurations

Solution build configurations let you select which projects to include in different builds of a project or solution. Project configurations include detailed build and debug settings for each combination of solution build configuration and platform. Creating solution build configurations and project configurations can help you to coordinate your development process with the needs of various user groups, both inside and outside your organization.

To open the Configuration Manager dialog box

1. In Solution Explorer, select the solution.

2. On the Build menu, choose Configuration Manager.

   The Project Property Pages dialog box opens.

- or -

1. In Solution Explorer, select the solution.

2. On the View menu, select Property Pages.

3. In the left pane, select the Configuration Properties node.

4. Select the Configuration Manager button.

   The Configuration Manager dialog box opens.

   The Active Solution Configuration drop-down list displays the name of the current solution build configuration. The Project Contexts pane lists the projects in the solution, the project configurations and platform specified, and check boxes that indicate whether a project will be included when you build or deploy the solution using this configuration.

To open the Project Property Pages dialog box

1. In Solution Explorer, select a project.

2. On the Project menu, choose Properties.

   The Project Property Pages dialog box opens.

   For each combination of Configuration and Platform selected, different sets of Common Properties and Configurations Properties are displayed.

Working with Project Configurations

Here are common procedures for creating and managing project configurations:

To create a Project Configuration

1. Open the Configuration Manager dialog box.

2. In the Configuration manager, select a project in the Project column.

3. Select the Configuration drop-down menu for that project, and choose New.

   The New Project Configuration dialog box opens.

4. In the Project Configuration Name text box, type a name for the new configuration.

5. To use the same property settings as those specified for an existing project configuration, choose a configuration from the Copy Settings drop-down list.

6. To create a new solution configuration at the same time, select the Also create new solution configuration(s) check box.

To rename a Project Configuration

1. Open the Configuration Manager dialog box.

2. Select a project with a project configuration to rename.

3. On the Configuration drop-down list for that project, choose Edit.

   The Edit Project Configurations dialog box opens.

4. Select the project configuration name you want to change.

5. Select Edit, then type a new name for the configuration.

To select and edit a Project Configuration

1. Open the Project Property Pages dialog box.

2. Select the desired Configuration and Platform from the drop-down menus at the top of the dialog box.

3. Expand the Configuration Properties node in the left pane.

   The properties displayed in the right pane are specific to the combination of Configuration and Platform selected.

4. Select individual properties, and select or enter the desired values.

Working with Solution Build Configurations

Here are common procedures for creating and managing solution build configurations:

To create a Solution Build Configuration

1. Open the Configuration Manager dialog box.

2. On the Active Solution Configuration drop-down list, choose New.

   The New Solution Configuration dialog box opens.

3. Type a name for the new solution build configuration in the Solution Configuration Name text box.

4. To use the same settings as those specified for another solution build configuration, choose one from the drop-down list for the Copy Settings from textbox.

5. If you want to create one or more project configurations at the same time, select the Also create new project configuration(s) check box.

To rename a Solution Build Configuration

1. Open the Configuration Manager dialog box.

2. On the Active Solution Configuration drop-down list, choose Edit.

   The Edit Solution Configurations dialog box opens.

3. Select the solution build configuration name you want to change.

4. Select Rename, then type a new name for the configuration.

To select and edit a Solution Build Configuration

1. Open the Configuration Manager dialog box.

2. Select the desired solution build configuration from the Active Configuration drop-down menu at the top of the dialog box.

   The Project Context panes display the properties of the active solution build configuration.

3. Select any project available in the solution.

4. Select the desired project Configuration and Platform. Together, these two settings specify the project configuration to be used.

5. If the project is to be included when you build this solution build configuration, select the Build check box.

6. If the project can be deployed and you will use this solution build configuration to deploy it, select the Deploy check box.

See Also

Configuration, Configuration Properties, Solution Property Pages Dialog Box | Build Configurations | Preparing and Managing Builds | Solution Property Pages Dialog Box | Editing Common Properties for Solutions | Startup Project, Common Properties, Solution Property Pages Dialog Box | Project Dependencies, Common Properties, Solution Property Pages Dialog Box