Unpacking Project Dependencies in Visual Studio 2019

If you are working on a massive software project, then strap in because it is likely that you will have numerous projects in your solution. These projects may have interdependencies required for efficient compilation and execution.

For instance, one project might contain essential classes and functions that another project uses. This creates a dependency between the two.

Now, it’s up to you to add the dependencies between the projects in Visual Studio, and this is a crucial step towards creating successful software solutions.

Why Add Project Dependencies?

Adding project dependencies saves the software developer from headache and exhaustion, by helping them to manage dependencies between projects.

In Visual Studio, project dependencies make sure projects are built in the correct order, ensures that necessary assemblies are available, and guarantees the correct version of dependencies are implemented. This way, defining dependencies between projects means that you can ensure an error-free build process with no stressing issues.

Adding Project Dependencies in Visual Studio 2019

If you want to add project dependencies in Visual Studio 2019, here are five easy ways of doing so:

Step 1: Open the Solution Explorer

Begin by opening the Visual Studio solution file and then select the Solution Explorer. This will give you an overview of all the projects in your solution.

Step 2: Right-click the Project

You then have to right-click on the project you intend to add dependencies to before proceeding.

Step 3: Select “Project Dependencies”

Once you have right-clicked, a context menu will appear, giving you a range of options, then locate and select the “Project Dependencies” option, and then wait for the tally box named “Project Dependencies” to pop up.

Step 4: Select the Dependencies

After the popup box appears, using your cursor, choose the project or projects that the current project depends on. For instance, if your current project depends on an “API” project, select “API” in the “Dependencies” tab.

Step 5: Click “OK”

Once you are sure that you have identified all the dependencies, click “OK” to close the “Project Dependencies” dialog box. Visual Studio will subsequently ensure that the dependencies are built before the current project and that you have all the necessary assemblies.

Conclusion

As you can now see, adding project dependencies in Visual Studio 2019 is incredibly vital in creating successful software solutions. By ensuring that you have defined dependencies between projects, you save yourself from numerous errors, and as a result, create error-free software solutions.

Go ahead and put these steps into practice and have a smooth project build process. Good luck!