How do I run a series of processes in C# and keep their environment settings?

Question

I am developing an auto-builder that will run a series of steps in our build process and build our target application. We used to use a batch file which set up a bunch of environment variables or called tools that setup environment variables and ultimately runs a 'make'.

I've been using the 'Process' class which works great for running those commands but unfortunately every time one runs which makes changes to the environment (like adding something to the PATH) those variables are lost when the 'Process' completes. The next 'Process' is instantiated and inherits the env from the 'calling' app (my exe) again - which means all env setup by the last command are lost. How do you handle this situation? Is there a better way to run a series of batch-file like commands within C# and maintain the environment they set up?

Please note that unfortunately the old-schoolers have declared that nant/ant are not an option so "Hey, why not use Nant - it does that!" is not the answer I am looking for.

Thanks.

Answer 1

i would suggest some code that would save your environment variables to an external file, and then you can retrieve these variables via the external file at the start of following processes.