TFS 2013 Pre Build Script Assembly Version Updates

I was looking at a "simple" way to update the TFS build definitions and adjust the Assembly versions of the projects being compiled. I came across this article (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn376353.aspx) leveraging the pre and post build scripts that are available in the newer build definitions.

The problem I had with the scripts included in the TFS Build Extensions is that it uses the Build Number or Label. This does not really make sense to me so I started hacking at it.
Fortunately it was not as big a task as trying to delve into the new build definition's workflow and trying to find the variables that "used to" exists.

If you are interested, I have posted the resulting PowerShell.
Simply add this to the TFS repository, and then reference it as a pre-build step in your build definition and you will notice that your AssemblyVersionInfo.cs files are updated before the build, replacing the revision to the changeset number.
This will give you a reference from the actual assemblies back to the code or changeset that they originate from.



Enjoy!

Release Management Event

Last week Microsoft hosted a Release Management for Team Foundation Server 2013 talk where I ran through managing releases using Release Management.

I am pleased to say that there was literarily not a seat available, and the audience was responsive and interested. This is obviously a topic that is on a lot of people's minds.

For more information, you can visit the official site.

If you are interested, I have uploaded the slides here.

We will have to try and schedule a similar event shortly

Thank you to all those that attended and participated, and to Microsoft for making it possible.

Comparing TFS and Rational Team Concert

A while ago I did a comparison between TFS and Rational Team Concert.
It came up in a discussion amongst the ALM Rangers and I posted it here for information purposes.

ALM Discipline	TFS	Rational Team Concert
Requirements Management
Project Management
Change Management
Configuration Management
Build Management
Test Case Management	(MS Test Manager)	(Rational Quality Manager)
Software Deployment
Design	(VS Ultimate)	(Rational Software Architect)
Release Management	(Release Management)	(Rational Build Forge)

Feature / Component	TFS	Rational Team Concert
Automated Testing	Visual Studio & MS Test Manager	Rational Functional Tester
Visual Studio Integration		(VS 2012 as of v4.0.1)
Build Infrastructure	Windows Workflow Foundation and MSBuild	MSBuild
Check-in policies
Code review workflow	(TFS 2012)
Branching & Merging

This is a very high level and brief overview, if you have any comments corrections or additional information, feel free to give me a shout.

Release Management Event in Cape Town

Getting to know Release Management…

In partnership with Microsoft SA, Team Foundation Consulting will be bringing you an afternoon focussed on Release Management.

Join us and see how to manage your deployment to create better value.

This event is free and seats are limited.

Please reserve your seat now.

Visual Studio Online Pricing

Seems Microsoft has finally released the pricing model for Visual Studio Online!

Edition	Note	Intro Price	Actual Price	More info
Basic	5 users free	$10.00 per additional user	$20.00	http://www.visualstudio.com/en-za/products/visual-studio-online-basic-vs
Professional	Incl VS Pro	$22.50 pp	$45.00	http://www.visualstudio.com/en-za/products/visual-studio-online-professional-vs
Advanced		$30.00 pp	$60.00	http://www.visualstudio.com/en-za/products/visual-studio-online-advanced-vs

The interesting thing here is that the Professional subscription actually includes a "rented" version of VS Professional for the duration of the subscription. The downside is that you can only have up to 10 pro users on your account.

For an overview go and look here: http://www.visualstudio.com/products/visual-studio-online-overview-vs

TFS 2013 Update 2 Gems

Just been busy installing and playing around with TFS 2013 Update 2 RC and just off the bat noticed two little gems…
1) You can now specify the TFS server's cache as part of the install. So you are able to put it on a non-system drive

2) Looking at the upgrade process there were a couple of hints, and I finally tracked it down in the test area… It would appear that you are - or at least will be able to share parameters across test cases -- very cool…

You will also notice that web access is looking a lot closer to Visual Studio Online

 

 

And yes, if you look close enough you may notice some indication that it is in fact a RC and some polishing for on-premise purposes may still be needed...

Wonder when the application insights will become available on-premise

Free books from Microsoft

I found a great resource for free ebooks from Microsoft.
Go see for yourself : http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/ebooks

I have been delving into Azure Pack and DSC recently and this helped a great deal…