Visual Studio 2008 template containing both a C# and a C++/CLI project?

Question

I'm currently writing a Winamp plugin framework for C# (basically, a C# implementation of the Winamp API/SDK, as well as a barebones plugin template). Because C# libraries can't export DLL entry points, I'm using a C++/CLI wrapper which basically just loads the C# library. I'd like to create a Visual Studio template for this, which creates both the barebones C# plugin library, and the C++ wrapper. However, if I click File → Export Template, only the C# project is listed.

Is it possible to create a multi-project template containing both a C# project and a C++/CLI project? If so, how?

Answer 1

I found the answer myself a while ago, and forgot to properly update this. A .vstemplate file can be used to create a C++ template by setting the language to CSharp like in C# templates (it will still work correctly).

Here is an example I've used: .vstemplate file and all other files

WiX also uses this method

Answer 2

'export template' does not work for C++ projects. If you want templates for them, you need to create it yourself: see my answer here. It involves some work, but if you use this kind of projects a lot, the work is well-spent time.

edit

I looked up my code, something like this should get you started; the onFinish method in default.js gets called after clicking 'Ok' in the default wizards. Note that I did not test this!

function onFinish( selProj, selObj )
{
  var strProjectPath = wizard.FindSymbol('PROJECT_PATH');
  var prjCpp;
  var prjCs;
  CreateProjects( strProjectPath, prjCpp, prjCs );
  //project config here
  prjCpp.Object.Save();
  prjCs.Object.Save();
  selProj = prjCpp;
}

function CreateProjects( path, prjCpp, prjCs )
{
  var strProjTemplatePath = wizard.FindSymbol('ABSOLUTE_PATH'); //get template from our template dir
  var strProjTemplateCpp = strProjTemplatePath + '\\default.vcproj';
  var strProjTemplateCs = strProjTemplatePath + '\\default.csproj';
  var Solution = dte.Solution;

  if( wizard.FindSymbol( "CLOSE_SOLUTION" ) )
  {
    Solution.Close();
    strSolutionName = wizard.FindSymbol( "VS_SOLUTION_NAME" );
    if( strSolutionName.length )
    {
      var strSolutionPath = strProjectPath.substr( 0, strProjectPath.length - strProjectName.length );
      Solution.Create(strSolutionPath, strSolutionName);
    }
  }

  var oTarget = wizard.FindSymbol( "TARGET" );
  prjCpp = oTarget.AddFromTemplate( strProjTemplateCpp, strProjectPath, strProjectName + '.vcproj' );
  prjCs = oTarget.AddFromTemplate( strProjTemplateCs, strProjectPath, strProjectName + '.csproj' );
  Solution.Projects.Add( prjCpp );
  Solution.Projects.Add( prjCs );
}