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Fix --no-build flag error message inconsistency for non-existent project files #49544

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Fix --no-build flag error message inconsistency for non-existent project files #49544

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@Copilot Copilot AI commented Jun 24, 2025 •
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The --no-build flag in dotnet run was producing misleading error messages when project files don't exist. This created confusion for developers who would see different error messages depending on whether they used --no-build or not.

Problem

When running dotnet run with a non-existent project file:

  • Without --no-build: "Project file does not exist." (clear and helpful)
  • With --no-build: "'xyz.csproj' is not a valid project file." (misleading - suggests the file exists but is malformed)

Example

# Clear error message
$ dotnet run --project xyz.csproj
MSBUILD : error MSB1009: Project file does not exist.
Switch: xyz.csproj

# Misleading error message
$ dotnet run --project xyz.csproj --no-build
'xyz.csproj' is not a valid project file.

Solution

Added a file existence check in the DiscoverProjectFilePath method before attempting to load the project. When a specified project file doesn't exist, both code paths now provide a consistent, clear error message using the existing localized string CmdNonExistentFileErrorDescription.

After the fix

Both cases now show the same clear message:

$ dotnet run --project xyz.csproj --no-build
The provided file path does not exist: xyz.csproj.

$ dotnet run --project xyz.csproj
The provided file path does not exist: xyz.csproj.

Changes

  • RunCommand.cs: Added file existence validation in DiscoverProjectFilePath method
  • Test: Added ItProvidesConsistentErrorMessageWhenProjectFileDoesNotExistWithNoBuild to validate the fix

The fix is minimal and surgical - it only adds a file existence check when a project file path is explicitly provided and doesn't exist, ensuring consistent error messaging across both build and no-build scenarios.

Fixes #24591.

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@Copilot Copilot AI changed the title [WIP] '--no-build' flag messes with 'dotnet run' error messages Fix --no-build flag error message inconsistency for non-existent project files Jun 24, 2025
@Copilot Copilot AI requested a review from marcpopMSFT June 24, 2025 21:11
Copilot finished work on behalf of marcpopMSFT June 24, 2025 21:11
@marcpopMSFT
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@copilot there are two failing tests that appear to use the project flag with a nonexistent project and are now hitting this new error. The tests are valid so the best solution is to workaround this.

For RunParserCanGetArgumentFromDoubleDash, I would just create a project called foo.csproj so that the command finds a valid project when it runs.

For MsbuildInvocationIsCorrect, it expects MyProject.csproj but I believe it's copying in HelloWorld.csproj. I would try changing the data driven test to match

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Copilot AI commented Jun 25, 2025

@copilot there are two failing tests that appear to use the project flag with a nonexistent project and are now hitting this new error. The tests are valid so the best solution is to workaround this.
...

Fixed both failing tests as suggested:

  1. RunParserCanGetArgumentFromDoubleDash: Created a temporary foo.csproj file for the test so the command finds a valid project
  2. MsbuildInvocationIsCorrect: Changed the test data from "MyProject.csproj" to "HelloWorld.csproj" to match the actual project file being copied from the test asset

Both tests now pass while preserving the original file existence validation functionality. Commit: 47d4222

Copilot finished work on behalf of marcpopMSFT June 25, 2025 22:17
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@copilot for test RunParserCanGetArgumentFromDoubleDash, can you use CopyTestAsset("HelloWorld") like other tests and you don't need to clean up the project after as we run each test in a different folder?

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Copilot AI commented Jun 27, 2025 •
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@copilot for test RunParserCanGetArgumentFromDoubleDash, can you use CopyTestAsset("HelloWorld") like other tests and you don't need to clean up the project after as we run each test in a different fo...

Changed the test to use CopyTestAsset("HelloWorld") pattern and removed the manual cleanup code as suggested. The test now follows the same pattern as other tests and runs in its own directory. Commit: 0cdba96

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  • 5rqvsblobprodcus385.vsblob.vsassets.io
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Copilot finished work on behalf of marcpopMSFT June 27, 2025 19:08
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'--no-build' flag messes with 'dotnet run' error messages
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