Question

I am currently working with a source tree that has one sln file housing all the WebApps, WinServices, WebServices, Console Apps and Common libraries (Business entities, custom controls etc).

The file structure for this is very flat, as in

+--Solution Folder
 +----Solution File
 +------WebApp1
 +------WcfService1
 +------WinService1
 +------CommonEntities
 +------WebControls1
 +------ThirdPartyAssemblies

I have begun work to create separate solutions for each web app, wcf service etc. In doing this I am able to see the common projects across these solutions.

MY Question to you guys is how do i structure my file system within TFS so i can use the common projects across the board?

I am more than happy to follow the Single TFS Project approach defining areas per site/service for work items and reporting, but i am less keen on branching the common libraries for each project. That said how have you guys overcome these problems?

I understand that people also suggest having the common projects in one solution and then referencing the compiled binaries in other solutions. I’m not really keen on this approach either. To be fair i will take the lesser of two evils if these are the only options but am eager to see how other people have tackled it.

Answer 1

I can’t exactly feel your point so I will try to open the door for you, have you look on Multiple Solution Approach?

More info:

Chapter 3 – Structuring Projects and Solutions in Source Control

For the source control structure there are different approaches

Have you look on Server-Side Structure?

$MyTeamProject1
     /Main                                                              Can contain solution (.sln) files    
            /Source
                        /MyApp1                                         Contains MyApp1.sln file
                                    /Source                             Contain folder for all source
                                                /ClassLibrary1          Contains ClassLibrary1.csproj
                                                /MyApp1Web              Contains Default.aspx
                                    /UnitTests                          Container folder for unit tests
                                                /ClassLibrary1Tests     Contains test project and code
                                                /MyApp1WebTests         Contains test project and code
                        /SharedBinaries                                 Shared binaries e.g. libraries
                        /SharedSource                                   Shared source code           
            /Docs                                                       Contains product documentation
            /Tests                                                      Container for tests
                        /FunctionalTests
                        /PerformanceTests
                        /SecurityTests /

More info:

Chapter 4 – Structuring Projects and Solutions in Team Foundation Source Control