Updating the Assembly Version

• Download sample project - 6.92 KB
• Download source code - 3.08 KB

Introduction

There really isn't really anything available that shows how to change the Assembly Version of an application every time it's built successfully, so I created one.

Now, the code for actually updating the Assembly Version isn't very elegant (!!!Please help me make this code better!!!). Basically, there is a pre-build event that calls either a batch file with the commands in it, or the commands are placed directly in the pre-build event of the application properties. In the test app that I have provided, I have the commands directly placed in the pre-build event, but in the real world, I have the commands in a batch file. I have placed a text file with appropriate changes if you would rather use the batch file method.

Basically, UpdateAssemblyVersion changes these two lines in the AssemblyInfo.cs file. When you compile your app and based on the switches you have included, your file's version numbers are changed. When you look at your complied application's properties, you can see what version it is (right click on the exe and choose Properties).

[assembly: AssemblyVersion("1.0.0.3")]
[assembly: AssemblyFileVersion("1.0.0.3")]

UpdateAssemblyVersion takes two to five command line arguments (one or more from the four below are required):

• M: major
• m: minor
• -b: build
• r: revision

These two lines are required. -f followed by the location of the file to change. The file must have the AssemblyVersion and AssemblyFileVersion in it.

-f "AssemblyInfo.cs"