Working with Build Definitions in Team Foundation Build

This topic describes how to create and modify build definitions in Team Foundation Build.

Team Foundation Build uses build definitions to manage the conditions under which a single solution or a set of solutions will be built. You can use the Build Definition dialog box to create and modify build definitions. You have the following configuration options:

• Workspace

  Use this setting to map the source control location of the files you want to build on the build agent. Each path is mapped to a relative location beneath a root build directory on the build agent.

• Project File

  Either use this setting to browse to an existing TFSBuild.proj file in source control or use it to create a new one to be associated with the build definition. If two or more build definitions share a TFSBuild.proj file, customizing it effects each build definition.

  If you create a new TFSBuild.proj file you can specify which files to build, whether to run tests or code coverage, and which configuration or platform to build.

• Retention Policy

  Use this setting to specify the retention policy for failed, stopped, partially-successful, or fully-successful builds.

• Build Defaults

  Use this setting to specify the build agent, the computer on which the build runs, and the shared folder where the built files are stored.

• Trigger

  Use this setting to specify:

  • Whether your build definition should run on demand

  • Whether your build definition should run continuously on each check-in

  • Whether each check-in should add a build to the queue to be run as soon as an agent is free

In This Section

• How to: Create a Build Definition
  Describes the steps used to create and configure a new build definition for Team Foundation Build.

• How to: Run Continuous Builds
  Describes how to configure Team Foundation Build to run continuous builds.

• How to: Configure the Builds Check-in Policy for Continuous Builds
  Explains how to define the Builds check-in policy for your team project.

• How to: Configure Tests with Build Definitions
  Explains how to modify build definitions and projects to take advantage of the testing capabilities in Team Foundation Build.

• Testing Web Sites and Web Services in a Team Environment
  Provides additional information about working with tests in Team Foundation Build.

• How to: Establish Permissions for Team Foundation Build Agent
  Describes how to establish permissions for the Team Foundation build agent to run builds.

• How to: Edit a Build Definition
  Explains how to edit a build definition.

• How to: Update Build Definitions on Branched Team Projects
  Explains how to edit build definitions in a newly established branch so they build correctly.

• How to: Delete a Build Definition
  Describes how to delete a build definition that is no longer needed.

• How to: Stop an In-Progress Build
  Describes how to stop a build that is already in progress.

• How to: Delete a Completed Build
  Describes how to use the Build Explorer user interface to delete a completed build.

• Walkthrough: Creating and Building a C++ Project in Team Foundation Build
  Describes how to create and build a C++ project with Team Foundation Build.

Reference

Team Foundation Build Reference

Related Sections

• Running Builds in Team Foundation Build
  Lists topics that describe how to run builds in Team Foundation Build, including standard, local, and scheduled builds.

• Understanding the Team Foundation Build Explorer
  Explains the functionality of the Build Explorer and lists topics that describe how to view, interpret, and modify build definition status and build reports generated by a build definition in Team Foundation Build.

• Team Foundation Build Walkthroughs
  Lists walkthroughs that explore creating team foundation build definitions, running build definitions, and viewing build reports.

• Administering Team Foundation Build
  Lists topics for administrators of Team Foundation Build.

See Also

Tasks

Walkthrough: Creating a Build Definition in Team Foundation Build