Visual 2008 / C# 1.1 Compiler

It happens. Some of us have to do it. In this modern age taint the Visual Studio 2008 IDE by having to compile .NET 1.1 C# code.

As this is pretty much a quick once-off thing I didn't go to the full extend of creating 1.1 project templates like back when Visual Studio 2005 was released.

Instead here you'll find a small msbuild targets file that will allow you to compile a .NET 1.1 assembly (C#) from Visual Studio 2008. (The old project templates might still work though as the format didn't change)

1) To use create a Class Library project from Visual Studio 2008 as usual.

2) Open the project file in your favourite text editor and find the line below:

   1:  <Import Project="$(MSBuildBinPath)\Microsoft.CSharp.targets" />

3) Replace with:

   1:  <Import Project="everett.targets" />

Making sure that Everett.targets is in the same directory as your project file otherwise include the path in the import above.

After reopening the project you should see .NET 1.1 listed as a new platform option in the Configuration Manager. Selecting this will use the retro compiler and class base class libraries.

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