Visual Studio

How to Change Build Numbering Format in Visual Studio

When managing a .NET application, one of the technical challenges developers often face is the versioning of their software. A user-friendly versioning system is crucial for communication, especially when users report bugs or issues. This guide will introduce you to the steps needed to change the version number format in Visual Studio, making it simpler and more concise.

The Problem

You’ve inherited a .NET application that automatically updates its version number with each build. While automation is generally beneficial, the current versioning format may leave something to be desired. For instance, a version string like 3.5.3167.26981 can be quite cumbersome for users to articulate, especially when they need to reference it during troubleshooting.

Desired Format

Your aim is to streamline the versioning process. You want a format that is easier to communicate, such as 3.5 (build 3198), where:

  • Major and minor versions are updated manually.
  • The build number increments automatically.
  • The increment happens only during the RELEASE build process.

The Solution

Step 1: Locate Your Project File

The version numbering you want to change is usually configured in a project file, commonly named AssemblyInfo.cs. In this file, you’re looking for the assembly version attribute, which might look something like this:

[assembly: AssemblyVersion("3.5.*")]

The * character instructs Visual Studio to automatically assign the build and revision numbers.

Step 2: Hard Code the Version Number

To customize your versioning format, replace the automatic versioning with a hard-coded string that matches your desired format:

[assembly: AssemblyVersion("3.5.3198.0")]

Here’s a breakdown of the version format:

  • Major version: 3
  • Minor version: 5
  • Build number: 3198 (This will be auto-generated)
  • Revision: You can set this to 0 or any other number based on your preference.

Step 3: Customize for Debug vs. Release Builds

To ensure that the build number increments only during a release build, you can use compiler preprocessor directives. This is where things get a little more advanced, but it’s a powerful tool.

In AssemblyInfo.cs, you can write conditional code like this:

#if DEBUG
[assembly: AssemblyVersion("3.5.0.0")]
#else
[assembly: AssemblyVersion("3.5.*")]
#endif

This setup ensures:

  • During a DEBUG build, the version remains static.
  • During a RELEASE build, the version number will update based on the build system.

Conclusion

Changing the build numbering format in Visual Studio is a straightforward process that can significantly improve user experience. By following these steps, you can create a versioning structure that is not only simpler for users to communicate but also better aligned with your development process.

By tailoring your versioning strategy, you empower your users to effectively report issues, thereby enhancing the communication between developers and users.

Happy coding!