BUG: Build May Hang with Pre-Build Rules that Prompt User (195159)

SYMPTOMS

If you put batch commands into a Pre or Post-Build Command, in the Project Properties Custom tab, that prompt the user for input, your build will appear to hang as the batch command waits for user input.

There is no way to pass user input back into the build process, so the build session must be canceled from the Build menu, and the Pre or Post- Build batch command modified so that it does not prompt for user input.

To reproduce this error, you can add the Pre-Build batch command:

   xcopy *.* .\nonExistantDirectory
				

This command will prompt the user for information (visible in the Output window). The build will not be able to continue from that point. Note that is this command is in a Pre-Build rule, your project will not be built before the build hangs. If this command is in a Post-Build rule, your project will be successfully built, but the build process will not complete and will need to be canceled.