I'm trying to follow the instructions in Microsoft's document Code Generation in a Build Process to rebuild T4 templates on our build server. When I build, template generation is failing with the error (the full MSBuild output is later in this question):
error MSB4018: The "TransformTemplates" task failed unexpectedly.
error MSB4018: System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0, Version=14.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified.
I created a minimal project that reproduces the problem. The script build.cmd simply executes MSBuild. When I run build.cmd from my workstation, the build succeeds. It only fails on the build server.
Copied the MSBuild and Visual Studio assemblies to the build server, as specified by the Code Generation document.
Added the Visual Studio assemblies to the GAC.
Set the VSSDK140Install environment variable to "C:\Program Files
(x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\VSSDK\" (because that's how it's set on
my workstation).
Set HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\VisualStudio\14.0!InstallDir to
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\Common7\IDE\
I'm trying to avoid installing Visual Studio 2015, because that's a pretty large dependency to add to our build server, and the Microsoft documentation explicitly says this should be possible.
I've copied the following files to the build server, as specified in the Code Generation document (these are all in the Program Files (x86) folder, since that's where they are on my machine):
I saw it's failing trying to load
Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.dll, and since that assembly is in
the GAC on my workstation I guessed maybe that was required, so I tried using
GAC Manager to add
Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.dll to the GAC, but the error is
the same.
When I run build.cmd, I get the following output:
D:\TTTest>"C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\14.0\Bin\MSBuild.exe" ClassLibrary1.sln /t:Rebuild
Microsoft (R) Build Engine version 14.0.25420.1
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Building the projects in this solution one at a time. To enable parallel build, please add the "/m" switch.
Build started 10/20/2017 11:05:16 AM.
Project "D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1.sln" on node 1 (Rebuild target(s)).
ValidateSolutionConfiguration:
Building solution configuration "Debug|Any CPU".
Project "D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1.sln" (1) is building "D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj" (2) on node 1 (Rebuild target(s)).
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: The "TransformTemplates" task failed unexpectedly. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0, Version=14.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: File name: 'Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0, Version=14.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a' [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.Sdk.Host.GenericTextTemplatingHost..ctor(IServiceProvider serviceProvider) [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.Build.Tasks.TransformTemplatesBase.GetConfiguredTextTemplatingHost() [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: at Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.Build.Tasks.TransformTemplatesBase.Execute() [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskExecutionHost.Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.ITaskExecutionHost.Execute() [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<ExecuteInstantiatedTask>d__26.MoveNext() [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: === Pre-bind state information === [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: DisplayName = Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0, Version=14.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: (Fully-specified) [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Appbase = file:///C:/Program Files (x86)/MSBuild/14.0/Bin/ [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Initial PrivatePath = NULL [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: Calling assembly : Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.Sdk.Host.14.0, Version=14.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: === [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: This bind starts in LoadFrom load context. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: WRN: Native image will not be probed in LoadFrom context. Native image will only be probed in default load context, like with Assembly.Load(). [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Using application configuration file: C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\14.0\Bin\MSBuild.exe.Config [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Using host configuration file: [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Using machine configuration file from C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\config\machine.config. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Post-policy reference: Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0, Version=14.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files (x86)/MSBuild/14.0/Bin/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.DLL. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files (x86)/MSBuild/14.0/Bin/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.DLL. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files (x86)/MSBuild/14.0/Bin/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.EXE. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files (x86)/MSBuild/14.0/Bin/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.EXE. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files (x86)/MSBuild/Microsoft/VisualStudio/v14.0/TextTemplating/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.DLL. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files (x86)/MSBuild/Microsoft/VisualStudio/v14.0/TextTemplating/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.DLL. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files (x86)/MSBuild/Microsoft/VisualStudio/v14.0/TextTemplating/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.EXE. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: LOG: Attempting download of new URL file:///C:/Program Files (x86)/MSBuild/Microsoft/VisualStudio/v14.0/TextTemplating/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0/Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.EXE. [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v14.0\TextTemplating\Microsoft.TextTemplating.targets(396,5): error MSB4018: [D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj]
Done Building Project "D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1\ClassLibrary1.csproj" (Rebuild target(s)) -- FAILED.
Done Building Project "D:\TTTest\ClassLibrary1.sln" (Rebuild target(s)) -- FAILED.
Build FAILED.
The problem seemed to be that .NET could not find the assembly Microsoft.VisualStudio.TextTemplating.14.0.dll.
So instead of keeping everything in separate folders as Visual Studio installs them, I took the following files:
And copied them all into the MSBuild task directory:
After doing this, .NET was able to find the assemblies it needed and transformed the templates.