Building a simple package in VS 2010

In this blog we will see how to create a vsix in visual studio 2010.

VSIX is visual studio package file that conforms to the ECMA Open Packaging Conventions (OPC) standard.

You create a.vsix file when you create a project using visual studio package.

 

Since, it’s just a wizard .It becomes very easy to follow:

Packages are nothing but strongly named assemblies. Class libraries need to be signed with a key.

You can choose the language in which you want to create this package. Also,the wizard gives you the option either to use your own key file to sign, else you can create a new key file.(Whether it’s an existing key or a new key , you will find the key related info key.snk file in the solution.)

 Next,Wizard asks you for your basic informations like comapny name , logo , package name etc , the information from this page will be used in creating an about box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can change data here. We will discuss on the vsix versioning in the third blog in this series.

Next , the wizard asks you for package options. I selected menu command and clicked next.

If you want you can go with Tool Window or a custom editor as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next,

The wizard asks you for a few more details on menu command to create , like the name you want to see and the id this particulat item will have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the final step you are asked if you need automated unit test cases and integration test cases to be created.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clicking on Finish creates the solution for you. And Yolla! Your first package is created.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will look at the Solution structure created in the next blog.