MSBuild project to test a C++ program - msbuild

Question

I have a .vcxproj file that compiles a C++ program. I would like to create a second MSBuild project file that tests the program by running it, but only if the program has been rebuilt since the last successful test. How can I access the "TargetPath" of the program from the second project file?
If I could access TargetPath as an "item" from the .vcxproj file, then the the tester project file will look like this:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Project DefaultTargets="Build" ToolsVersion="4.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
<Target Name="Build" Inputs="#(TargetPath)" Outputs="#(TargetPath->'%(filename).test-passed)'">
<Exec Command="#(TargetPath)" />
<Touch Files="#(TargetPath->'%(filename).test-passed)'" />
</Target>
</Project>
I would like to execute the test using a separate project file from the compilation of the program, to make it easier to choose between build-and-test or build-and-debug within Visual Studio, without multiplying the build configurations.

Answer 1

It is possible to run a native program compiled by a separate .vcxproj using the MSBuild task. Use the <Output> element to create an Item with the "TargetOutputs" from the C++ application build. However, if you are building a "native" program, "TargetOutputs" is normally blank. In this case, use the "GetNativeTargetPath" target to get the output path. The following project .vcxproj file works with Visual Studio. It builds test_build.vcxproj. The test_build.exe file is run, if it has changed since the last successful run.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Project DefaultTargets="Build" ToolsVersion="4.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
<ItemGroup>
<ProjectConfiguration Include="Debug|x64">
<Configuration>Debug</Configuration>
<Platform>x64</Platform>
</ProjectConfiguration>
<ProjectConfiguration Include="Release|x64">
<Configuration>Release</Configuration>
<Platform>x64</Platform>
</ProjectConfiguration>
</ItemGroup>
<PropertyGroup Label="Globals">
<ProjectGuid>{80DB0D71-72E0-4FB1-B53F-EFB858A1D5A8}</ProjectGuid>
<Keyword>Win32Proj</Keyword>
<RootNamespace>nordic_test_run</RootNamespace>
</PropertyGroup>
<PropertyGroup>
<ConfigurationType>Application</ConfigurationType>
</PropertyGroup>
<Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
<ItemGroup>
<ProjectReference Include="test_build.vcxproj" />
</ItemGroup>
<Target Name="BuildExecutable">
<MSBuild Projects="#(ProjectReference)" Targets="Build" BuildInParallel="True" />
<MSBuild Projects="#(ProjectReference)" Targets="GetNativeTargetPath" BuildInParallel="True">
<Output TaskParameter="TargetOutputs" ItemName="NativeTests" />
</MSBuild>
</Target>
<Target Name="Build" DependsOnTargets="BuildExecutable" Inputs="#(NativeTests)" Outputs="#(NativeTests->'%(filename).test-passed')">
<Exec Command="#(NativeTests)" />
<Touch Files="#(TestTargets->'%(filename).test-passed')" />
</Target>
</Project>