[Resolved] [2005] Sharing or linking existing project files between projects

[Allen Schoessler]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find it.

I have created an application that uses a module which I'm constantly revising. I have also created a second project that uses the same module. However, when I attempt to add the module to the second project, it copies it into its own folder. I need it to be linked to the original module, like one could do in VB6... I don't want to have to make my changes twice or constantly be having to copy the module back and forth.

Any way to do this?

[Allen Schoessler]

Solved it.

For anyone wanting to do this in the future:

Place the files where you want them to be. Add them to your project. They will be copied to the root of the solution. Close Visual Basic.NET. Open the projectname.vbproj file (found in the root) in Notepad. Do a search for the name of the file you want to be shared. You will see something like:

<Compile Include="modServer.vb" />
    <Compile Include="modCommon.vb" />
    <Compile Include="modINI.vb" />
    <Compile Include="cRegistry.vb" />

Change the reference to where you want them to point to, like so:

<Compile Include="modServer.vb" />
    <Compile Include="..\modCommon.vb" />
    <Compile Include="..\modINI.vb" />
    <Compile Include="..\cRegistry.vb" />

modServer remains in the current directory, while the other three are up a level. Delete the duplicate copies of the files in the root directory.

Launch your project. The files which you modified the locations for will show up with a link arrow on them. Repeat for other projects that you want to share these files with.

[jmcilhinney]

I would suggest not doing that and simply creating a new class library project into which you can place the common code. You then reference the library from the application or library that requires it.