C-Sharp Visual Studio Msbuild

Fixing sgen.exe Build Failures in Visual Studio

If you’ve experienced issues with sgen.exe failing during build processes in Visual Studio, you’re not alone. Many developers find themselves battling with this error, especially after modifying the output directory of their project. This guide will walk you through understanding the problem and provide solutions to fix it effectively.

Understanding the Problem

Changing the output directory of your Visual Studio project may lead to sgen.exe failing with the following error:

Error: The specified module could not be found. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8007007E)
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\Microsoft.Common.targets(1902,9): error MSB6006: "sgen.exe" exited with code 1.

This error typically arises because the path being passed to the sgen.exe in your build configuration remains unchanged after the output directory change.

Symptoms of the Issue

  • The build process fails, throwing errors related to sgen.exe.
  • Even after modifying config settings, the error persists.
  • Temporary workaround solutions might disable essential features like serialization generation.

Solutions to the Problem

Approach 1: Manual Configuration of sgen.exe

One effective method to resolve this issue is to manually adjust the parameters for sgen.exe within your project file.

Steps to Customize sgen.exe Options:

  1. Open your Project File
    Use a text editor of your choice to open the .csproj or .vbproj file.

  2. Modify Target Definitions
    You can add a target that tells sgen.exe to specify serializer generation options explicitly. For example:

    <Target Name="GenerateSerializationAssembliesForAllTypes"
  DependsOnTargets="AssignTargetPaths;Compile;ResolveKeySource"
  Inputs="$(MSBuildAllProjects);@(IntermediateAssembly)"
  Outputs="$(OutputPath)$(_SGenDllName)">
    <SGen BuildAssemblyName="$(TargetFileName)"
      BuildAssemblyPath="$(OutputPath)" References="@(ReferencePath)"
      ShouldGenerateSerializer="true" UseProxyTypes="true"
      KeyContainer="$(KeyContainerName)" KeyFile="$(KeyOriginatorFile)"
      DelaySign="$(DelaySign)" ToolPath="$(SGenToolPath)">
        <Output TaskParameter="SerializationAssembly"
          ItemName="SerializationAssembly" />
    </SGen>
</Target>

  3. Lock Down the Changes
    Ensure you set the UseProxyTypes attribute to true, which allows you to control how types are serialized.

  4. Rebuild Your Project
    Once the changes are saved, rebuild your project in Visual Studio to apply the new configurations.

Approach 2: Reference Documentation

For enhanced understanding and further customization, consider referring to the official MSDN documentation for sgen.exe, where you can find detailed options and parameters available for the tool.

Another resource can be found at this blog post that discusses nuances of sgen and tips to manage serialization effectively.

Additional Recommendations

  • Delete Previous .XmlSerializers.dll
    If you continue to encounter problems, consider deleting .XmlSerializers.dll files in the output directory to ensure a clean slate.

  • Double-Check to Ensure Proper References
    Make sure all paths to dependent assemblies are still valid after changing the output location.

Conclusion

Facing sgen.exe failures can be frustrating, especially amid tight development schedules. By customizing your project file and managing configurations carefully, you can resolve these issues efficiently. Remember to maintain backups of your original project files before making substantial changes.

With these strategies, you should be equipped to tackle and prevent any future build errors linked to sgen.exe in Visual Studio!