.Net Framework 2.0 emerged with the very powerful and sophisticated compilation architecture here is a very brief description how we can compile a website in .Net 2.0 using MSBuild (Build tool shipped with .Net Framework 2.0)
Prerquisites:
> Understading of Build tool, Build Tasks and Properties
> Compilation Modes in .Net Framework 2.0
Those who are not aware of Build Tool, can follow the below given steps to compile Asp.Net 2.0 Website
1. Create a file with extention .msbuild with the following xml, replace the WebsiteName, PrecompiledAssembliesPath and BuildDirectory with your values.
<Project DefaultTargets="Main" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
<PropertyGroup>
<WebsiteName>MyWebSite</WebsiteName>
<PrecompiledAssembliesPath>E:\temp\Project\Build\</PrecompiledAssembliesPath>
<BuildDirectory>E:\temp\Project\</BuildDirectory>
</PropertyGroup>
<Target Name="Main">
<AspNetCompiler
VirtualPath="/$(WebsiteName)"
PhysicalPath="$(BuildDirectory)"
TargetPath="$(PrecompiledAssembliesPath)"
Force="true"
Debug="true"
Updateable="true"
/>
</Target>
</Project>
References: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7z253716.aspx
2. Run Following command from command line from .Net 2.0 Command prompt (MSBuild.exe is available in..
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727)
MSBuild.exe C:\Progra~1\MSBuild\temp.msbuild
Actually the compilation is being done through aspnet_compiler.exe, which is called by AspNetCompiler task in MSBuild script. the task attributes like PhysicalPath, Debug, Updateable are mapped with aspnet_compiler.exe command line arguments inturn.
I hope this article covers enough things around MSBuild and .Net 2.0 compilation. feel free to ask for any clarification.