I have a problem. I have 2 directory structures. Which effectively mirror each other and I need to reconcile them as a matter of process. I need to list everything in directory A that isn't in directory B,recurisively.

So I create an item for directory B but how do I work it into the exclude for item A? I need that recurisive directory structure but the syntax is giving me grief since I have to shift it to match directory A. Any ideas?

I figured it out. As Mike said the the directory paths don't match. However through some monkeying around I managed to use the exclude by taking advantage of the recursive dir property. Check this out:

<CreateItem Include="$(SolutionRoot)\directory2\**\*.*">

<Output TaskParameter="Include" ItemName="Directory2Files"/>

</CreateItem>

<CreateItem Include="$(SolutionRoot)\directory1\**\*.*" Exclude="@(Directory2Files->'$(SolutionRoot)\directory1\%(RecursiveDir)%(Filename)%(Extension)')">

<Output TaskParameter="Include" ItemName="Directory1Files"/>

</CreateItem>

I have to say it, I love MSBuild!

Hi Lou,

How about writing a custom task to do this job? The input of the taskwill betwo item list and the output will be one item list of different items.

In order to write a custom task, please refer to: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t9883dzc.aspx.

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Hi Lou,

Basically you could take item A which contains all files in directory A and subtract item B (all files in directory B) from it. You then get an item C that only contains files that are not listed in item B, i.e. that are not in directory B. In MSBuild you can do it as follows:

< CreateItem Include = " @(DirectoryA) " Exclude = " @(DirectoryB) " >
< Output TaskParameter = " Include " ItemName = "FilesNotInDirectoryB " />
</ CreateItem >

I don't think that will work as the paths will be different so the Exclude will not match the items. A custom task is probably required.

I figured it out. As Mike said the the directory paths don't match. However through some monkeying around I managed to use the exclude by taking advantage of the recursive dir property. Check this out:

<CreateItem Include="$(SolutionRoot)\directory2\**\*.*">

<Output TaskParameter="Include" ItemName="Directory2Files"/>

</CreateItem>

<CreateItem Include="$(SolutionRoot)\directory1\**\*.*" Exclude="@(Directory2Files->'$(SolutionRoot)\directory1\%(RecursiveDir)%(Filename)%(Extension)')">

<Output TaskParameter="Include" ItemName="Directory1Files"/>

</CreateItem>

I have to say it, I love MSBuild!