Adding the same file to multiple projects.

[UJ]

I have a couple of files (type definitions, constants, ...) that I want to
use in multiple projects. How do I make it so that I have only one copy of
the file for multiple projects? If I do add existing to a project, it copies
the file to the project directory. I'd like to have a single directory
(called something like library) that has all the common source code in it
that then gets referenced from the projects.

TIA.

Jeffrey.

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

I have a couple of files (type definitions, constants, ...) that I want to
use in multiple projects. How do I make it so that I have only one copy of
the file for multiple projects? If I do add existing to a project, it
copies the file to the project directory. I'd like to have a single
directory (called something like library) that has all the common source
code in it that then gets referenced from the projects.

VS.NET provides a way to reference the file instead of creating a copy of
it: "Project" -> "Add Existing Item..." -> Change the button labeled "Open"
to "Reference File" and press it.

 

[Guest]

How do you then distribute the application if the .dll of the common file
isn't in the bin directory of the application?

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

How do you then distribute the application if the .dll of the common file
isn't in the bin directory of the application?

No need to distribute a separate DLL -- the file will be part of the project
and thus compiled into the final EXE/DLL file.

 

[Jon Masterson]

VS.NET provides a way to reference the file instead of creating a copy of
it: "Project" -> "Add Existing Item..." -> Change the button labeled "Open"
to "Reference File" and press it.

Herfried
Does that apply to the standard edition - when I try I get the options,
open, open with and link file but not reference file. This is on VB 2003

thanks

Jon

 

[Guest]

That will work if you are adding a project or vb module to your main project
but if you adding a reference to a (compiled project, i.e., a .dll file) then
isn't this .dll automatically added to your project bin directory and you
have to distribute it with your application?

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

That will work if you are adding a project or vb module to your main
project
but if you adding a reference to a (compiled project, i.e., a .dll file)
then
isn't this .dll automatically added to your project bin directory and you
have to distribute it with your application?

Yes, in this case you will have to distribute the DLL too.