MSBuild task configuration property

Question

I have three Visual Studio solutions. The first is configured to build as Release, and the other two are set to build as Debug.

When running a simple MSBuild script explicitly stating the configuration to build (Debug), the first project is still built as Release.

Sample script:

<Target Name="Build">
    <ItemGroup>
        <ProjectToBuild Include="$(SolutionsPath)\Solution1.sln"/>
        <ProjectToBuild Include="$(SolutionsPath)\Core\Solution2.sln"/>
        <ProjectToBuild Include="$(SolutionsPath)\UI\Solution3.sln"/>
    </ItemGroup>
    <MSBuild Projects="@(ProjectToBuild)"
             Targets="Rebuild"
             Properties="Configuration=Debug;Platform=Any CPU"/>
</Target>

I have tried variations of the above such as the following, but I always end up with the same result.

<Target Name="Build">
    <ItemGroup>
        <ProjectToBuild Include="$(SolutionsPath)\Solution1.sln">
            <Properties>Configuration=Debug</Properties>
        </ProjectToBuild>

        <ProjectToBuild Include="$(SolutionsPath)\Core\Solution2.sln">
            <Properties>Configuration=Debug</Properties>
        </ProjectToBuild>

        <ProjectToBuild Include="$(SolutionsPath)\UI\Solution3.sln">
            <Properties>Configuration=Debug</Properties>
        </ProjectToBuild>
    </ItemGroup>
    <MSBuild Projects="@(ProjectToBuild)"
             Targets="Rebuild"
             Properties="Platform=Any CPU"/>
</Target>

I note there is a similar question, MSBuild task - Build fails because one solution being built in release instead of debug, but that is specific to TFS and Teambuild. I am talking pure MSBuild with a simple project file created from scratch.

How can I fix this problem?

Answer 1

OK I have found the issue. Nothing related to MSBuild, but instead the solution being built. Posting to save someone else the heartache.

For whatever reason the Debug configuration was configured within the solution like so:

alt text http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/cad0bdf1c0.jpg

So MSBuild was only doing what it was told too...