View current Assembly Version number within VS2008

Question

I would like to know if there is a way to see Assembly Version number of the last completed build within the Visual Studio 2008 IDE. I don't want to see the 1.0.* that is in the Assembly Information dialog box or AssemblyInfo file, but rather the full version (with the *'s replaced by real numbers). I also don't want to have to bring up the Properties of the project's executable or assembly.

Answer 1

OK, I think I get your question better now, you want to see what the build number is, without actually building... as in, how does Visual Studio know what the next number will be when its setting is at * ?

If you use automated build numbers, Lets say you have 1.0.* and VS builds a value such as 1.0.3245.1234

The 3245 is days since Jan 1st, 2000

the 1234 is seconds since midnight, divided by two.

ANSWER TO YOUR EDIT:

The only thing I can think of to get the build number without executing some code within the assembly, or checking the file properties, is to make some sort of post build event, that checks the properties of the assembly and pops up a message box displaying it, or better yet, write a comment to the top of the AssemblyInfo.cs file with the build number