Referencing an MSBuild property using the contents of another property

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

Sure this is possible. Just do:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Project ToolsVersion="4.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
  <PropertyGroup>
    <SelectVariable>Test</SelectVariable>
    <TestVariable>1</TestVariable>
    <FullVariable>2</FullVariable>
  </PropertyGroup>

  <Target Name="Demo01">
    <PropertyGroup>
      <Value>$(SelectVariable)Variable</Value>
    </PropertyGroup>
    <Message Text="Value $(Value)"/>
  </Target>

</Project>

The result is shown in the image below.