What is `build agent folder` $(SourceDir) of a build definition in TFS Build 2012?

Question

When creating a build definition for a TFS build, there is a section called Source Settings as below snapshoot where we have to define 1) Source Control Folder and 2) Build Agent Folder.

As I understand, the source control folder is where to get the source to build. But I don't get the idea what is the build agent folder is used for in a build.

Please share me what that is about if you know it. Thank you!

Answer 1

$(SourceDir) is the Directory on the Build machine, which will be used for Check-out your source code from TFS and then to Compile it and Build.

Value for the $(SourceDir) is what you will configure it to; normally your working directory on the build machine and by default its value come from Working directory settings on the build agent properties (red marked) option as shown in the picture; i.e. $(SystemDrive)\Builds\$(BuildAgentId)\$(BuildDefinitionPath)

Where

• $(SystemDrive) is system drive, e.g. C:
• $(BuldAgentID) is a numeric number assigned to agents normally 1,2,3 etc.
• ($BuildDefinitionPath) is the root folder of your source code from TFS.

So a typical example of $(SourceDir) can be "C:\Bulids\1\TeamProjectName\Path\To\Your\App"