Question

I want to be able to reference an MSBuild (3) property using the contents of another property. For example:

<PropertyGroup>
    <SelectVariable>Test</SelectVariable>
    <TestVariable>1</TestVariable>
    <FullVariable>2</FullVariable>
</PropertyGroup>

<Message Text="Value $($(SelectVariable)Variable)"/>

In this scenario, I want the contents of TestVariable outputted (1). Is this possible?

Answer 1

I don’t believe that is possible. However, you could achieve a similar effect with ItemGroups:

<PropertyGroup>
    <SelectVariable>Test</SelectVariable>
</PropertyGroup>

<ItemGroup>
    <Variable Include="1">
        <Select>Test</Select>
    </Variable>
    <Variable Include="2">
        <Select>Full</Select>
    </Variable>
</ItemGroup>

<Message Text="@(Variable)"
         Condition=" '%(Select)' == '$(SelectVariable)' " />

It’s a little clunky tho…