Configuration for ProjectReference in MSBuild

Question

Is it possible to set the configuration of ProjectReference in MSBuild?

Scenario: I have a build script (web deploy) that has a number of configurations where the only difference has to do with how they are deployed and not the build it self. I would hate to have to maintain configurations for my solution/projects that are build as a part of the deploy process just because I need those configurations for deployment. Any way I can accomplish this?

Answer 1

Leaving the question in case some one else gets the same idea as I did. The solution was pretty straight forward. Don't do it. Turn it around. Just use any other property for the deployment script and map the different deployment configuration to existing Project configurations.

Answer 2

Another possible method of setting ProjectReference configuration and platform is to use a property picked up the MSBuild's reference handling code called SetPlatform and SetConfiguration. Example:

<ProjectReference Include="path to project.projext">
  <SetPlatform>Platform=x64</SetPlatform>
  <SetConfiguration>Configuration=Release</SetConfiguration>
</ProjectReference>