How to rebuild assemblies from the source code

Description

How can I recompile the XtraGrid assemblies? I want to step into your code and trace it when debugging my applications.

Solution

Applies to:
XtraGrid and other Developer Express .NET components

Foreword
We offer a set of build scripts to automate the rebuilding of our components from source code for those who have the DXperience Enterprise installed. The scripts (DOS batch files) are in the attached archive. Please refer to the ReadMe.txt document in the attached archive for instructions. We still advise that you fully read this article to better understand the dependencies between our assemblies and the manual rebuild process.
  
  
To compile and install the XtraGrid libraries you should generate a strong key file, build libraries in a particular order registering every library prior to building the next one and finally update Toolbox icons in your Visual Studio.

The component source files are installed in the \Program Files\Developer Express .NET v6.1\Sources\ directory by default. Before you start to compile the libraries you should backup and delete the original DevExpress DLLs. They are located in your \Program Files\Developer Express .NET v6.1\Sources\DevExpress.DLL folder. Next, you should delete all entries which relate to the DevExpress products in the Assembly Cache (Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Microsoft .NET Framework Configuration).

Assemblies must be signed with a strong key in order to be registered in the Assembly Cache. We don't distribute our StrongKey.snk file - it's our signature. You will need to create a strong key yourself. Please review the Sources\DevExpress.Key\ReadMe.txt document for basic instructions. You can learn more about strong keys from the MSDN Library.

The compilation order must be as follows:
DevExpress.Utils*
DevExpress.Data
DevExpress.XtraEditors
DevExpress.XtraNavBar**
DevExpress.XtraEditors.Design
DevExpress.XtraGrid
DevExpress.XtraGrid.Design
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* Please do not rebuild DevExpress.Utils, if you don't have the DevExpress.XtraNavBar source. The XtraNavBar depends on DevExpress.Utils and you will not be able to use the former if the latter is rebuilt.
** The source of the DevExpress.XtraNavBar assembly is not included in the XtraGrid Suite, but is shipped with the XtraNavBar product sold separately.

You can use the Microsoft .NET Framework Configuration console to register the assemblies in the Assembly Cache. Another way is to use Windows Explorer and drag&drop the DLLs from the Sources\DevExpress.DLL directory to your C:\WINDOWS\assembly hidden folder.

Finally, it is necessary to update Toolbox icons. Please launch the ToolboxCreator tool from the Start | Programs | Developer Express .NET v6.1 | Tools menu.