TwineCompile with MSbuild, but not with IDE

[zzattack]

I would like to (always) use TwineCompile when building my project group using msbuild. For that I import the 'TCTargets104.targets' project, and this works very well.
Simultaneously, I'd like to be able to disable TC from the IDE as necessary. Debugging sessions typically start faster when TC is disabled, and some error messages show up in a relevant part of the .targets file if builds fail, which is tougher to debug.
What I've noticed is that when the 'TCTargets104.targets' is imported, even when TwineCompile from the IDE is disabled, builds still use TC but the GUI process doesn't show. I think what is needed is to conditionally import the project task, only when run from msbuild. Is this possible?

[jomitech]

Yes, it is definitely possible. You need to add a condition to the <Import> statement, for example:

Code: Select all

<Import Project="C:\Program Files (x86)\JomiTech\TwineCompile\TCTargets104.targets" Condition="'$(TwineCompile)'=='true'" />

Then you can invoke MSBuild like this and it will invoke TwineCompile. The IDE will not pass in that variable, so TwineCompile won't be used.

MSBuild /t:Build /p:TwineCompile=true Project1.cbproj

[zzattack]

Excellent, thank you. I slightly prefer using msbuild in this way over jtmake, due to the cleaner logfile and '/ds' overview at the end.

[zzattack]

Followup question: can we pass arguments like -prog- through msbuild?

[jomitech]

Most of the TwineCompile options are available via MSBuild properties, but unfortunately, -prog- is not one of the available options. The available options are:

• -threads: TC_Threads
• -disablecaching: TC_DisableCaching
• -afiles: TC_AllocateFiles
• -jb-: TC_StopOnErrors
• -dep: TC_Make
• -priority: TC_Priority
• -maxcache: TC_MaxCache

For example:

Code: Select all

MSBuild /t:Build /p:TC_Threads=4 Project1.cbproj

[zzattack]

Clear, thank you. If feasible, I'd like to request this feature be extended to include -prog- for a future release. Thanks you for your consideration!

[jomitech]

Yes, we'll definitely include this in the next release. It looks like the only missing option.

[zzattack]

Awesome, I'll keep my eyes peeled. Thank you!

[zzattack]

Hi Jon,
Did this make it into 5.2.3?

[jomitech]

Yes, it did.