C/C++ Project Properties, Managed, C/C++ Build, Build Steps

Customizes the selected build configuration allowing the specification of user defined build command steps, as well as a descriptive message to be displayed in the build output, immediately prior to and immediately after normal build processing executes.

Properties, Managed Make, C/C++ Build, Build Steps

Project Type:: Displays the type of project that is built by the selected build configuration.
Configuration:: Allows the selection of the active build configuration from the list provided.
Manage...: You can add, remove and rename configurations.
Pre-build Step
Command: A command, or a list of semicolon separated commands, to be executed immediately prior to execution of the build.
Description: Optional descriptive text that is associated with the pre-build step to be displayed in the build output immediately prior to execution of the pre-build step command or commands.
Post-build Step
Command: A command, or a list of semicolon separated commands, to be executed immediately after the execution of the build.
Description: Optional descriptive text that is associated with the post-build step to be displayed in the build output immediately prior to execution of the post-build step command or commands.
Restore Defaults: Returns any changes back to their default setting
Apply: Applies any changes.

Detailed Specification

To ensure reasonable custom build step behavior, sensible input must be provided when specifying custom build step input. Custom build steps are not verified for correctness in any regard and are passed exactly as entered into the build stream.

In the descriptive text, below, the term "main build" is defined as the sequence of commands to be executed when a build is invoked, not including pre-build or post-build steps.

The pre-build step is not executed if the state of the main build is determined to be up to date; otherwise it is executed. An attempt to execute the main build will occur regardless of the success or failure of executing the pre-build step.

The post-build step is not executed if the state of the main build is determined to be up to date. It will be executed only if the main-build has executed successfully.