Question

I have a large application that I can build through the command line. I want to specify a flag that enables me to compile it into either one of two modes, Actual or Simulated.

So the main issue is, how can I use the preprocessor to programmatically add a reference?

For example:

#if SIMULATED
    include SimulatedFiles;
    myFactory = new SimulatedFiles.simFactory();
#else
    myFactory = new realFactory();
#endif

I don’t want any simulated files to compiled into my “actual” application. Since there is no “include” directive in C#, I am stuck on how to accomplish this.

Answer 1

You cannot do this via a C# preprocessor statement because the language doesn’t support the notion of references via preprocessor macros.

What you can do is use a msbuild file and alter the set of references added based on msbuild parameters.