We have a Visual Studio 2010 project that comprises of a bunch of C source files.
These files need to be compiled and then linked using a special tool chain for an embedded device.
Currently, we are compiling it in Visual Studio using the default C++ build and then, in the post build event we are invoking the tool chain for the embedded device.
I am wondering if there is some way to make Visual Studio compile and link using our tool chain instead of Microsoft's.
I tried to override the Build target, and had some progress with that, however when project properties gets changed by a developer, then the project's vcxproj file gets overwritten.
What is the proper way to override the Build target?
The proper way to use custom tool chain with Visual Studio 2010 is to set custom platform toolset:
<PlatformToolset>Intel C++ Compiler XE 12.1</PlatformToolset>
Here, I am using Intel C++ Compiler. When building the project MSBuild looks for platform toolset in directory:
c:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0\Platforms\$(Architecture)\PlatformToolsets\
where $(Architecture) is x64, Win32 etc.
But, to use your custom tool chain you will have to write MSBuild configurations files. In my case Intel C++ Compiler comes with such files. So, all I need to do - is to set proper platform toolset (this can be done from Visual Studio 2010 in project properties window).
Here the link to article from Visual C++ Team Blog where you can find more details: C++ Native Multi-Targeting