I would like to be able to create a Multi-Project Template for a solution which contains the following two projects (where the interface should include a reference to the business layer).:
<proj_name>.interface
<proj_name>.business
.
Normally, you can include $safeprojectname$
, which has:
The name provided by the user in the New Project dialog box
However, as pointed out in the article Build a multi-project visual studio template
The problem here is that within each child template, $safeprojectname$ represents the current project name. There needs to be a way to pass in the root $safeprojectname$ from the parent template.
I'm trying to implement the solution suggested in this SO question VS 2010 Multi-Project Template: Inter-Project References, by using CustomParameters
, but am running into trouble.
My Zipped Up Template Directory looks like this:
- MultiTemplate.vstemplate
- Interface
- InterfaceTemplate.vstemplate
- MyTemplate.Interface.csproj
- Business
- BusinessTemplate.vstemplate
- MyTemplate.Business.csproj
You can download the Entire Directory, but here are some select snippets
MultiTemplate.vstemplate
<VSTemplate Version="3.0.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/vstemplate/2005" Type="ProjectGroup">
<TemplateData><!--Removed for brevity --></TemplateData>
<TemplateContent>
<CustomParameters>
<CustomParameter Name="$SolutionName$" Value="$safeprojectname$"/>
</CustomParameters>
<ProjectCollection>
<ProjectTemplateLink ProjectName="$safeprojectname$.Interface">
Interface\InterfaceTemplate.vstemplate
</ProjectTemplateLink>
<ProjectTemplateLink ProjectName="$safeprojectname$.Business">
Business\BusinessTemplate.vstemplate
</ProjectTemplateLink>
</ProjectCollection>
</TemplateContent>
</VSTemplate>
Interface\InterfaceTemplate.vstemplate
<VSTemplate Version="3.0.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/vstemplate/2005" Type="Project">
<TemplateData><!--Removed for brevity --></TemplateData>
<TemplateContent>
<Project TargetFileName="MyTemplate.Interface.csproj"
File="MyTemplate.Interface.csproj"
ReplaceParameters="true">
</Project>
</TemplateContent>
</VSTemplate>
MyTemplate.Interface.csproj
<ItemGroup>
<ProjectReference Include="..\$SolutionName$.Business\$SolutionName$.Business.csproj">
<Project>{E5511F75-5B9C-4816-B991-E09225661CF4}</Project>
<Name>MyTemplate.Business</Name>
</ProjectReference>
</ItemGroup>
The Problem
When I create a new project, the $SolutionName$
portion of the string does not get replaced. Instead it just stays the same.
Q: How can I properly pass this information from the Multi-Project Template to each of the child templates?
Bonus points if you can figure out how to replace the <name>
tag value, as token replacements don't seem to work on it.