What is "Utility" Configuration type in Visual Studio

Question

In Visual Studio, Project Properties -> Configuration Properties -> General -> Project Defaults -> Configuration Type has {Makefile, Application(.exe), Dynamic Library(.dll), Static Library(.lib) and Utility} choices. What are the intended uses of the Utility type projects; could you please point me to some documentation? Thanks

Answer 1

Utility projects are empty projects and do not have any predefined outputs. We have to write our custom build rules.

Documentation Link: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa733962(v=vs.60).aspx

When you create a utility project, no files are added to the project. The utility project does not generate any predetermined output files, such as a .LIB, .DLL or .EXE. A utility project can be used as a container for files you can build without a link step:

• You can use a utility project as a master project for your subprojects.

• A utility project can export a MAKEFILE.

• A utility project has nothing but custom build rules; you must create custom build rules and add files.

• Utility projects respect the list of specified outputs and checks to see if outputs are out of date.