Visual Studio: Different DLLs for configurations

Question

I'd like to make a x86 and x64 version of my application because some of the libraries I'm using have differences for x86 and x64 (e.g. SQLite). I made a new configuration for release builds that has as target operating system "x64".

Is there a way to define different DLLs for the configuration e.g. use SQLite.dll for x86 release and SQLite64.dll for x64 release?

1. Unfortunately I can't use the "any platform" option which is default because of those not x64 compatible DLLs.
2. I want to support real x64 and not running a 32 bit application on an x64 OS.

Answer 1

You can add conditions to the dll references in the project file but you cannot do it using Visual Studio - you will have to hand-edit the project files. See this for how to do it.

What you need to do is to include a reference to the 32-bit dll only in the 32-bit build configuration, and a reference to the 64-bit dll in the 64-bit build configuration.

Answer 2

You need a condition to the dll reference in the project file.
This will cause visual studio to recheck the condition and reference whenever you change the active configuration.
Just add a condition for each configuration.

Example:

 <ItemGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Release|x86' ">
    <Reference Include="DLLName">
      <HintPath>..\DLLName.dll</HintPath>
    </Reference>
    <ProjectReference Include="..\MyOtherProject.vcxproj">
      <Project>{AAAAAA-000000-BBBB-CCCC-TTTTTTTTTT}</Project>
      <Name>MyOtherProject</Name>
    </ProjectReference>
  </ItemGroup>