C#•9mo ago

How to run a target when any of a set of input files has changed?

I'm trying to build a large project that msbuild does not understand via a <Target> with the inputs parameter as a list of all source files in that project and outputs as the single file the build produces. However, even when I change a file in the Inputs of the <Target> the target is not re-run. There is not a 1-1 mapping between inputs and outputs.

  <Target Name="CustomJsBuildLocal" Inputs="@(JsInputFiles)" Outputs="@(JSOutputFiles)">
    <Message Importance="High" Text="Building" />
    <Exec ConsoleToMsBuild="true" Command="some kinda slow command based on input fules" WorkingDirectory="$(BuildFolder)">
      <Output TaskParameter="ConsoleOutput" PropertyName="OutputOfExec" />
    </Exec>
  </Target>

  <Target Name="CustomJsBuildLocal" Inputs="@(JsInputFiles)" Outputs="@(JSOutputFiles)">
    <Message Importance="High" Text="Building" />
    <Exec ConsoleToMsBuild="true" Command="some kinda slow command based on input fules" WorkingDirectory="$(BuildFolder)">
      <Output TaskParameter="ConsoleOutput" PropertyName="OutputOfExec" />
    </Exec>
  </Target>

8 Replies

mtreit•9mo ago

I added you to an email thread with my msbuild expert.

n8taOP•9mo ago

Hey Mike thanks received! I've messed with it for a few hours and at this point I'm ready to bail and run a node script to it (: Could not find any way to debug why a target did or did not run

mtreit•9mo ago

msbuild /bl

n8taOP•9mo ago

binlog?

mtreit•9mo ago

Then open the .binlog it produces with the binary log viewer It should say why or why not each target ran. Just search for your target name

n8taOP•9mo ago

Got it testing thx @mtreit doesn't show up at all in the output. The only difference between this target and those that show up is this one doesn't have a BeforeTarget / AfterTarget property If I change that I see it and some debug info on why it didn't run !

mtreit•9mo ago

You might want to put it in the DefaultTargets for the project?

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk" DefaultTargets="Build;CustomJsBuildLocal">

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk" DefaultTargets="Build;CustomJsBuildLocal">

Or use AfterTargets. It doesn't run all target by default I don't think.

n8taOP•9mo ago

I put it in beforebuild for now beforeTargets=beforeBuild This is the only thing being built in this .proj I'll try default

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How to run a target when any of a set of input files has changed?