TFS Build server - CSC : fatal error CS2008: No inputs specified

Question

We get the above error message on our build server, when we build the solution or the specific project that the error refers to.

We can build the solution without any problem using visual studio (also on the build server), however it fails with the above error when running msbuild.

Any Ideas?

Answer 1

I found the solution.

There is a "bug" in msbuild, that results in it failing when there are not source files in the project. For example Filename.cs.

Our project only had xml and other file types.

Just added an empty cs file and it worked.

Answer 2

You should add assembly info to the project. This evades the need to create an empty class file.

To create an assembly info file easily, open the project properties, select the application tab, click "Assembly Information", and enter appropriate data. This will automatically create the assemblyinfo.cs file in the appropriate location.