Web Config Transformation

Instructions.md

To set the transformation to work

This document describes how to set transform config XML on Build in Visual Studio without using any Extensions

• The .csproj file will be modified.
• WebProject.csproj to see which modifications are required.

1. It could begin from the web.config
2. Right click on it and select Add Config Transforms
3. This will make web.Config parent of web.Debug.Config and web.Release.Config
4. Unload .csproj file and edit it.
5. Add <UsingTask TaskName="TransformXML" /> with the correct Assembly file (check WebProject.csproj in this gist)
6. Then you need to define which files to tansform: Example:

<Target Name="AfterBuild">
  <TransformXml Source="web.config" Destination="web.config" Transform="web.$(Configuration).config" />
</Target>

Resources:

• http://blogs.clariusconsulting.net/kzu/how-to-apply-build-configuration-transformations-on-non-web-projects/
• https://stackoverflow.com/questions/14415614/web-config-build-vs-release-transform-not-working
• https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8841075/web-config-transform-not-working

WebProject.csproj

<!-- Use this to make file configuration groupped in the Solution Explorer in Visual studio -->
<!-- The result of this will be that DataConfig.Release.config will became a child of DataConfig.config. But they are on same level in the file system -->
<Content Include="App_Data\Sitefinity\Configuration\DataConfig.Release.config">
  <DependentUpon>DataConfig.config</DependentUpon>
</Content>

<!-- This was archivied like this: right click with mouse on Web.Config > Add Config Transforms -->
<None Include="web.Debug.config">
  <DependentUpon>web.config</DependentUpon>
</None>
<None Include="web.Release Pro.config">
  <DependentUpon>web.config</DependentUpon>
</None>
<None Include="web.Release.config">
  <DependentUpon>web.config</DependentUpon>
</None>

<!-- To use the transform functionallity --> 
<!-- VisualStudioVersion is declared or defined earlier in the .csproj file -->
<UsingTask TaskName="TransformXML" AssemblyFile="$(MSBuildExtensionsPath)\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v$(VisualStudioVersion)\Web\Microsoft.Web.Publishing.Tasks.dll"></UsingTask>

<!-- Set which files to transform -->
<Target Name="AfterBuild">
  <TransformXml Source="web.config" Destination="web.config" Transform="web.$(Configuration).config" />
</Target>

<!-- This is required too --> 
<Import Project="$(MSBuildBinPath)\Microsoft.CSharp.targets" />

To set attribute debug="true":

<compilation xdt:Transform="SetAttributes(debug)" debug="true" />

This allows you to debug the application