.NET4.0 makes it possible to build SharePoint 2010 projects programmatically. 
I experimenting  in developing a tool to create installation scripts automatically. By adding SharePoint projects, my tool will build the project and get the wsp file needed to install your SharePoint project on the farm.

When I build my project, it has to a build and package the project. So first step is open an existing SharePoint project. When the project is loaded we are going to unload the project in visual studio.

The preparation

Right click on the project and then select “Unload Project”

Right click on the unload project and select “Edit YourProjectName.csproj”

An xml file will open in visual studio. In the xml file search for
“”

Insert this part of xml beneath the part we searched for:
”
    $(BuildDependsOn);CreatePackage
”

When you have done that you will get the following peace of xml:
”

  $(BuildDependsOn);CreatePackage
”

Save the file and reload the project back to the solution. Right click on the unloaded solution and click Reload Project

The code

Open a new console application and the framework has to be .NET4.0. Add the following reference: “Microsoft.Build” and put the following using in your code:

Using Microsoft.Build.Evaluation

To load our project we have to use the class ProjectCollection. With ProjectCollection we can load multiple projects that need to build, but in this example where going to use one project.

You also need a log class and a great example can be found at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/microsoft.build.framework.ilogger.aspx

//In collection we are going to load our projects

 ProjectCollection collection = new ProjectCollection();

//Load a project in the collection

//parameter needed : path to project file

collection.LoadProject(@"PathToYourProject.csproj");

//custom Logger a great example the can be found at 

//http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/microsoft.build.framework.ilogger.aspx

 Logging logger = new Logging();

//give path where you can find the log file. If the log file doesn't exists the file will be created

logger.Parameters = @"c:\logging.txt";

//Add the logger to the collection so it can write to the log file.

collection.Loggers.Add(logger);

//Looping through the added projects

foreach (Project item in collection.LoadedProjects)

{

         //Building project and return true or false as success status

         bool success = item.Build();

          if (success)

          {

                Console.WriteLine("build completed");

           }

           else

           {

                Console.WriteLine("build failed");

            }

}

//remove loggers from the collection

collection.UnregisterAllLoggers();

//remove the projects from the projectcollection

collection.UnloadAllProjects();

//Dispose collection to prevent memory leaks

collection.Dispose();

//Tell the logger to stop writing 

logger.Shutdown();