.TARGETS File Extension
MSBuild Targets File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity | |
| Category | Developer Files |
| Format | .TARGETS |
| Cross Platform | Update Soon |
What is an TARGETS file?
.TARGETS file extension holds a significant role, serving as a vital component in the MSBuild framework.
These files, often overlooked by many, are essential in orchestrating the build process of projects, enabling developers to specify various tasks and dependencies necessary for compiling code into executable programs or libraries.
More Information.
The history of .TARGETS files are intertwined with the evolution of Visual Studio and the .NET Framework. MSBuild was first introduced in 2005 as part of Visual Studio 2005 and the .NET Framework 2.0.
It provided a more flexible and extensible build system compared to its predecessor, the Visual Studio Build Engine (VCEBuild).
.TARGETS files were introduced as a standardized way to define build targets, making it easier for developers to customize the build process for their projects.
Origin Of This File.
MSBuild was introduced by Microsoft as a build platform for Visual Studio and the .NET Framework.
The .TARGETS file extension became associated with MSBuild as a means to define specific build targets and their associated tasks and dependencies.
File Structure Technical Specification.
.TARGETS files are XML-based and follow a specific structure defined by MSBuild. They typically include:
- Targets: Each .TARGETS file can define multiple targets, which represent specific tasks or operations to be performed during the build process. Examples of targets include compiling source code, copying files, or running tests.
- Tasks: Within each target, there can be one or more tasks defined. Tasks are the individual actions that MSBuild performs, such as invoking a compiler or executing a command-line tool.
- Dependencies: Targets can have dependencies on other targets, ensuring that certain tasks are executed in a specific order.
- Properties and Item Groups: .TARGETS files can also define properties and item groups, which provide additional configuration and metadata for the build process.
How to Convert the File?
Converting .TARGETS files to other formats is not a common task since they are already in a human-readable XML format and are primarily used within the Microsoft development ecosystem.
If there’s a need to transform .TARGETS files for compatibility with other build systems or tools, it can be achieved using various XML processing libraries or tools like XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations). Here’s a basic outline of the process:
- Identify Conversion Needs: Determine the specific requirements for converting the .TARGETS file. This could involve transforming the structure, content, or format to meet the compatibility needs of the target system or tool.
- Choose Conversion Tool: Select an appropriate tool for performing the conversion. This could be a general-purpose XML processing library or a tool specifically designed for converting MSBuild files.
- Write Transformation Logic: Develop the transformation logic needed to convert the .TARGETS file to the desired format. This may involve writing XSLT stylesheets or custom scripts depending on the complexity of the conversion.
- Execute Conversion: Run the conversion process using the chosen tool and transformation logic. Ensure that the output meets the desired requirements and is compatible with the target system or tool.
- Test and Validate: Validate the converted output to ensure that it accurately represents the original .TARGETS file and functions correctly within the target environment. Make any necessary adjustments or refinements to the conversion process as needed.
- Integrate into Workflow: Once validated, integrate the converted files into the relevant workflow or toolchain as required. This may involve incorporating them into build scripts, configuration files, or project settings.
Advantages And Disadvantages.
Advantages:
- Flexibility: .TARGETS files allow developers to customize the build process to suit the specific requirements of their projects.
- Reusability: Targets and tasks defined in .TARGETS files can be reused across multiple projects, improving consistency and efficiency.
- Integration: .TARGETS files seamlessly integrate with Visual Studio and other development tools in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Disadvantages:
- Complexity: Understanding and maintaining .TARGETS files can be challenging, especially for developers new to MSBuild.
- Tool-specific: .TARGETS files are primarily used within the Microsoft development ecosystem, limiting their portability to other build systems.
How to Open TARGETS?
Open In Windows
- Use Notepad: Right-click on the .TARGETS file and select “Open with” > “Notepad” from the context menu. Alternatively, open Notepad and navigate to the file using the “File” > “Open” menu option.
- Use Visual Studio: If you have Visual Studio installed, you can open .TARGETS files directly within the IDE by double-clicking on them in Windows Explorer or using the “File” > “Open” menu option within Visual Studio.
Open In Linux
- Use gedit: Most Linux distributions come with the gedit text editor installed by default. You can open .TARGETS files by double-clicking on them in the file manager or running
gedit filename.targetsfrom the command line. - Use Terminal: Linux users can also utilize terminal-based text editors like nano, vim, or emacs to open and edit .TARGETS files directly from the command line.
Open In MAC
- Use TextEdit: Double-click on the .TARGETS file to open it in TextEdit, the default text editor on macOS. Alternatively, right-click on the file and select “Open With” > “TextEdit” from the context menu.
- Use Terminal: If you prefer working from the command line, you can use Terminal to open .TARGETS files with command-line text editors like nano or Vim.
