msbuild release - must have features

Question

I'm currently building my first msbuild release task. What are the essential tasks that "should" be performed on every build?

Thinking of settings like optimize code, define several constants etc.

What do you do in every release build?

Thanks

Answer 1

I do the following on every build...continuous integration with NAnt/CruiseControl.net

• build
• test
• integration test (build database from ground up via scripts, check database integration, roll back database to clean state, etc.)
• perform code analytics (ndepend, ncover, //todo reporting, //codedebt reporting, stylecop)
• minification of code if going out to the web
• email status/reporting to everyone
• deploy to centralized development server
• bundle code into an archive to support roll-back capabilities

These are what I like to do...though I am sure that there is a lot more you can do!