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Microsoft Visual Studio 2005/.NET Framework 2.0

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Visual Studio SDK

XML-Based Command Table Configuration (.Vsct) Files

[This topic is pre-release documentation and is subject to change in future releases. Blank topics are included as placeholders.]

A command table configuration file is a text file that describes the set of commands that a VSPackage contains. Traditionally, these text files have a .ctc extension, and you use ctc.exe to compile a binary .cto file. XML-based command table configuration files are an upcoming alternative to traditional .ctc files. This alternative has a .vsct extention, and you use vsct.exe to compile binary .cto files. The resultant .cto files are the same as those that are created by using ctc.exe to compile .ctc files. A .vsct file, just like the .ctc file that it supercedes, is compiled into a native satellite DLL, managed satellite DLL, or managed VSPackage.

This technology is currently evolving and is not yet ready for mainstream development use. Accordingly, the documentation for it is also under development and is not ready. These topics are provided only as technical information for those interested in learning about the upcoming feature. More topics will be written about it in future releases.

The binary command table output file, identified by its .cto extension, is a resource that implements the command set described by its corresponding .vsct file.

In This Section

Designing XML Command Table (.Vsct) Files: Describes how to design .vsct files, a new alternative to .ctc files.

How to: Create a .Vsct File from an Existing .Cto File: Describes the process for converting an existing .cto binary file to a .vsct file.

How to: Create a .Vsct File: Describes the process for manually creating a.vsct file.

Related Sections

VSCT XML Schema Reference: Provides details about each section of the command table XML configuration file.

Command Table Compiler Command Line Flags: Describes the command-line parameters that the command table compiler uses.

How VSPackages Add User Interface Elements: Describes the command table format specification.

Resources in Managed VSPackages: Describes how to use managed and unmanaged resources in managed VSPackages.

Command Table Format Reference: Provides details about each section of the command table configuration file.

Menus and Toolbars: Explains how to create a UI that includes menus, toolbars, and command combo boxes.