Learning about MsBuild project files for Compiling Ansi C90 - msbuild

Question

The following main wants to be compiled via msbuild
#include <stdio.h>
int main (int argc, char *argv[])
{
char Buffer[2000];
printf("TEST");
gets(Buffer);
}
A Batch file calls msbuild:
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\msbuild main.vcxproj
pause
The msbuild project file is as follows.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Project DefaultTargets="Build" ToolsVersion="4.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
<ItemGroup Label="ProjectConfigurations">
<ProjectConfiguration Include="Debug|Win32">
<Configuration>Debug</Configuration>
<Platform>Win32</Platform>
</ProjectConfiguration>
<ProjectConfiguration Include="Release|Win32">
<Configuration>Release</Configuration>
<Platform>Win32</Platform>
</ProjectConfiguration>
</ItemGroup>
<Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
<Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
<Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
<ItemGroup>
<ClCompile Include="main.c" />
</ItemGroup>
</Project>
The whole setup works so far but i need to find a good source to help me learn more about msproject files.
I want to learn multiple things. How can I:
get rid of the "Import" oprtions and define the imported parts myself
use a commandline parameter to compile a set of files... ( %param%.c %param%TEST.c ,...)
use the projectfile to launch programs immediatelly ( %param%Test.exe )
compile multiple targets,... release, debug, etc
copy after compiling : Subproject/release/%param%.obj -> c:\accurateVersion\%param%.obj
Clean before rebuilding

Answer 1

There is a great book with lots of sample code to do everything you are talking about.
Inside the Microsoft® Build Engine: Using MSBuild and Team Foundation Build
Here is how you can call clean and then the build targets and also have it compile the the debug and release configurations.
C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\msbuild main.vcxproj /t:clean;build /p:Configuration=Debug;Release /p:platform=Win32
The copy task:
<ItemGroup>
<MySourceFiles Include="c:\MySourceTree\**\*.*"/>
</ItemGroup>
<Target Name="CopyFiles">
<Copy
SourceFiles="#(MySourceFiles)"
DestinationFiles="#(MySourceFiles->'c:\MyDestinationTree\%(RecursiveDir)% (Filename)%(Extension)')"
/>
This link might help you with some of your other questions.
Walkthrough: Using MSBuild to Create a Visual C++ Project