If you’re struggling to get Azure DevOps to read the .NET version from a props file in your YAML pipeline, you’re not alone! In this article, we’ll dive into the reasons why this might be happening and provide step-by-step instructions to get it working smoothly.
Understanding the Problem
When you create a YAML pipeline in Azure DevOps, you might want to use a props file to store configuration settings, such as the .NET version, that can be reused across multiple pipelines. However, when you try to read the .NET version from the props file, Azure DevOps seems to ignore it.
Symptoms:
- Your YAML pipeline fails to read the .NET version from the props file.
- The pipeline uses a default or incorrect .NET version, causing build errors.
- You’ve tried using different syntax and formatting in the props file, but nothing works.
Why Azure DevOps Isn’t Reading the .NET Version
There are a few reasons why Azure DevOps might not be reading the .NET version from your props file:
- Incorrect file format: Props files should be in XML format, but sometimes, incorrect formatting or syntax can cause Azure DevOps to ignore the file.
- Invalid property name: Make sure the property name in the props file matches the expected name in the YAML pipeline.
- Missing or incorrect pipeline syntax: The YAML pipeline might not be correctly referencing the props file or using the correct syntax to read the .NET version.
Step-by-Step Solution
Let’s go through the process of creating a props file, configuring the YAML pipeline, and reading the .NET version correctly:
Step 1: Create a Props File
Create a new file called dotnet.props in the root of your repository:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Project>
<PropertyGroup>
<TargetFramework>netcoreapp3.1</TargetFramework>
</PropertyGroup>
</Project>
In this example, we’re setting the TargetFramework property to netcoreapp3.1.
Step 2: Configure the YAML Pipeline
Create a new YAML pipeline file or edit an existing one:
trigger:
- main
pool:
vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'
steps:
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
displayName: 'Restore NuGet packages'
inputs:
command: 'restore'
projects: '**/YourProject.csproj'
feedsToUse: 'select'
nugetConfigPath: '$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/YourProject/NuGet.config'
externalFeedCredentials: $(Agent.HomeDirectory)/.nuget/credentials
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
displayName: 'Build'
inputs:
command: 'build'
projects: '**/YourProject.csproj'
maxCpuCount: true
env:
DOTNET_CORE_VERSION: $(TargetFramework)
Note the following:
- We’re using the
DotNetCoreCLI@2task to restore NuGet packages and build the project. - We’re setting the
variableDOTNET_CORE_VERSIONto$(TargetFramework), which will be read from thedotnet.propsfile.
Step 3: Read the .NET Version from the Props File
In the YAML pipeline, add a new step to read the TargetFramework property from the dotnet.props file:
- task: XmlReader@2
displayName: 'Read .NET version from props file'
inputs:
filepattern: '**/dotnet.props'
name: 'ReadProps'
- script: |
echo "##vso[task.setvariable variable=TargetFramework;issecret=false]$(ReadProps.TargetFramework)"
displayName: 'Set .NET version variable'
This step uses the XmlReader@2 task to read the TargetFramework property from the dotnet.props file and sets it as a pipeline variable.
Step 4: Use the .NET Version in the Pipeline
Now that we’ve set the TargetFramework variable, we can use it in the pipeline:
- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
displayName: 'Install .NET Core SDK'
inputs:
command: 'Tool'
packagesToInstall: 'dotnetcore-$(TargetFramework)'
In this example, we’re using the DotNetCoreCLI@2 task to install the .NET Core SDK with the correct version.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
If you’re still experiencing issues, check the following:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Props file is not being read | Verify the file path and name, and ensure the file is in XML format. |
| Incorrect .NET version is being used | Check the TargetFramework property in the props file and ensure it matches the expected version. |
| Pipeline variable is not being set | Verify the syntax and formatting of the XmlReader@2 task and the script that sets the pipeline variable. |
Conclusion
By following these steps and troubleshooting common issues, you should be able to successfully read the .NET version from a props file in your Azure DevOps YAML pipeline. Remember to verify file formats, property names, and pipeline syntax to ensure a smooth build process.
Happy building!
Frequently Asked Question
Azure DevOps YAML pipeline not reading .NET version from props file? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Q1: Why is my Azure DevOps YAML pipeline not picking up the .NET version from my props file?
This might be because the props file is not being loaded correctly in your YAML pipeline. Make sure you’re using the `queue` keyword to specify the agent and `variables` keyword to load the props file. Also, double-check the file path and name to ensure it’s correct!
Q2: How do I debug my YAML pipeline to see if it’s reading the props file correctly?
Enable debug logging for your pipeline by adding the `system.debug` variable and setting it to `true`. This will give you more detailed output during the pipeline run, helping you identify if the props file is being loaded correctly. You can also use the `echo` task to print out the values of variables loaded from the props file.
Q3: Can I use a .NET version from my props file to determine the runtime version for my Azure function?
Yes, you can! Load the .NET version from your props file into a variable, and then use that variable to set the `runtimeVersion` property in your Azure Function task. This way, your function will run with the correct .NET version specified in your props file.
Q4: What if I have multiple props files with different .NET versions in my repository?
No problem! You can load variables from multiple props files in your YAML pipeline using the `variables` keyword. Just make sure to specify the correct file path and name for each props file. You can also use conditional logic to determine which props file to load based on your pipeline’s requirements.
Q5: Can I use a single props file to store .NET versions for multiple projects in my repository?
Absolutely! You can store multiple .NET versions in a single props file, and then use conditional logic or separate variable groups to load the correct version for each project. This keeps your pipeline configuration DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) and makes maintenance a breeze!
