VS9->VS8 project converter ?

[John E]

I just tried opening a VS9 solution ( .sln file) using VS8 and I got a message saying it couldn't be opened because of being created by a newer version. However from a casual inspection, the two formats don't seem to be massively different from each other. Does anyone know if there's a utility available for converting VS9 projects & solutions to VS8 format?

[cilu]

No, not really. But you only have to delete manually a couple of entries from the project file and it will work. Like this one

TargetFrameworkVersion="196613"

[Syslock]

I just tried opening a VS9 solution ( .sln file) using VS8 and I got a message saying it couldn't be opened because of being created by a newer version. However from a casual inspection, the two formats don't seem to be massively different from each other. Does anyone know if there's a utility available for converting VS9 projects & solutions to VS8 format?

Yes, it's called MS Notepad! Open up the .vcproj file and change:
Version="9.00"
to
Version="8.00"

It should open up like a charm.

[John E]

Thanks guys. Those suggestions seem to have worked.

[Arjay]

I have a converter available for $100 US if you are interested.

[John E]

Sadly, your offer came too late Arjay However....

....if you had an app that could convert a makefile into a VS solution, that would be well worth $100 (and I imagine you'd sell copies in the thousands !!)

[Arjay]

Sadly, your offer came too late Arjay However....

....if you had an app that could convert a makefile into a VS solution, that would be well worth $100 (and I imagine you'd sell copies in the thousands !!)

Yeah, makefile converers are indeed scarce. It seems that anyone that takes the time to convert them are just happy to get the job done and no one ever seems to turn the knowledge into a tool.