MSBuild

MSBuild files are those that can be used to build a project or series of projects. For example, YourProject.csproj in visual studio contains msbuild codes. Alternatively, you can create your own custom msbuild so that you can build more than one project or customize it further e.g. build the project also using Resharper or FxCop tools.

Can be found here:

C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\MSBuild.exe

• MSBuild Team Blog
• MSBuild Reference for .NET 2.0
• MSBuild Reference for .NET 3.5
• MSBuild Project File Schema Reference

Examples:

• msbuild.exe project-file-name.vcproj /t:Rebuild/p:Configuration=Release
  
• msbuild.exe mybuildfile.xml

Articles to read:

• http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/magazine/cc163589.aspx
• Introduction to MSBuild
• Many from CodeProject
• Using Custom Tasks in MSBuild to modify XML Configuration Files on the Fly
  

Ways to run MSBuild:

• a) Create a bat file (.bat) or a msbuild file (.msbuild) b) put the MSBuild commands there c) Run the file using MSBuild.exe tool
• Use CruiseControl.NET or TeamCity

Other Links:

• List of environmental variables: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms164309.aspx