Msbuild Build Process Cruisecontrol.net

Introduction

In a fast-paced development environment, ensuring that your code is robust and reliable is paramount. For teams employing CruiseControl.NET, integrating a strong testing framework can elevate the quality of your builds. This blog post addresses a common challenge faced by developers: how to use MSTest with CruiseControl.NET.

When migrating from testing frameworks like NUnit and NAnt to MSTest—part of Visual Studio—many users encounter hurdles, particularly in getting tests to appear in the CruiseControl interface. We aim to provide you with effective guidance for overcoming these obstacles.

Understanding the Challenge

You have successfully set up a build process using CruiseControl.NET and MSTest, but the test results are not coming through in your CruiseControl interface. This can be frustrating, especially when you have implemented custom build tasks designed specifically for this function. If you’ve found that the documentation lacks comprehensive information, you’re not alone in feeling this way.

Solution Overview

To resolve this issue, we need to ensure that the MSTest configuration is properly set up in CruiseControl.NET, allowing the integration of your tests seamlessly. Fortunately, a helpful resource exists that can guide you through this process.

Resource for Reference

Not all documentation is created equal, but a valuable link you can rely on is:

This page offers detailed instructions on configuring MSTest to work with CruiseControl.NET effectively.

Steps to Integrate MSTest with CruiseControl.NET

To ensure a streamlined testing process, follow these steps:

  1. Configure MSTest in Your Project:

    • Make sure that MSTest is properly set up and that your test cases are written and build successfully within Visual Studio.

  2. Update the CruiseControl.NET Configuration:

    • Locate your ccnet.config file where your project is defined.
    • Ensure you are utilizing the proper build task for MSTest, which is different from NUnit or other frameworks.

  3. Add MSTest Reporting:

    • Ensure that you have specified output for your test results in a format that CruiseControl understands, typically an XML output.

  4. Verify Your Build Tasks:

    • Double-check the custom build tasks you have created. They should include references to the MSTest executable and specify the input/output files correctly.

  5. Review Documentation:

    • Finally, navigate through the provided guide to ensure you haven’t missed any crucial setup steps or configurations.

Conclusion

Integrating MSTest with CruiseControl.NET can enhance your development workflow significantly, enabling automated testing and better build quality. By following the steps outlined and referring to the provided resources, you can seamlessly view your test results in the CruiseControl interface.

If you encounter further issues, consider visiting forums or community discussions that focus on CruiseControl.NET and MSTest integration, as they can offer valuable insights and troubleshooting tips.

By ensuring the right configurations and understanding the connection between CruiseControl.NET and MSTest, you will position yourself to maintain a robust testing environment that supports continuous integration and delivery.