Project loading error due to missing DefineConstants value, but the values are defined

Question

I have a .Net-framework 4.8 project which fails to load in Visual Studio 2022 and I simply don't know why.

The error occurs when attempting to open the properties of the project inside Visual Studio.

The projects also show an error in the solution explorer, but nothing further is stated:

I've had an identical issue with another project, but that was resolved by removing an illegal property.

On my current project, that property is already removed but the error still exists and won't resolve. I don't understand what is happening under the hood.

System.ArgumentException: Expected 1 values for property Build::DefineConstants, but got 0.
Parameter name: values
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.VS.Implementation.PropertyPages.Designer.Property.Update(ImmutableArray`1 values)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.VS.Implementation.PropertyPages.Designer.Property..ctor(PropertyMetadata metadata, ImmutableArray`1 values, PropertyContext context, ImmutableHashSet`1 varyByDimensions)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.VS.Implementation.PropertyPages.Designer.PropertyContextFactoryBase.ToProperty(IUIProperty property, Page page, Category category, Int32 order, PropertyContext propertyContext, IPropertyEditorRegistry propertyEditorRegistry)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.VS.Implementation.PropertyPages.Designer.ProjectPropertyDataAccess.Observer.<HandleDataAsync>g__CreateProperties|14_5(<>c__DisplayClass14_0& )
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.VS.Implementation.PropertyPages.Designer.ProjectPropertyDataAccess.Observer.<HandleDataAsync>g__ProcessInitialData|14_1(<>c__DisplayClass14_0& )
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.VS.Implementation.PropertyPages.Designer.ProjectPropertyDataAccess.Observer.<InitializeAsync>d__10.MoveNext()
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter`1.GetResult()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.VS.Implementation.PropertyPages.Designer.ProjectPropertyDataAccess.Observer.<CreateAsync>d__9.MoveNext()
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.VS.Implementation.PropertyPages.Designer.ProjectPropertiesEditor.<>c__DisplayClass0_0.<<-ctor>b__0>d.MoveNext()
--- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
   at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.VS.Implementation.PropertyPages.Designer.AsyncLoadContent.<>c__DisplayClass0_0.<<Initialize>b__0>d.MoveNext()

Here is the project file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Project ToolsVersion="4.0" DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
  <Import Project="$(MSBuildExtensionsPath)\$(MSBuildToolsVersion)\Microsoft.Common.props" Condition="Exists('$(MSBuildExtensionsPath)\$(MSBuildToolsVersion)\Microsoft.Common.props')" />
  <PropertyGroup>
    <Configuration Condition=" '$(Configuration)' == '' ">Debug</Configuration>
    <Platform Condition=" '$(Platform)' == '' ">AnyCPU</Platform>
    <ProjectGuid>{DA53C3E0-7D05-4BB7-932C-97147BFB0E4C}</ProjectGuid>
    <OutputType>Library</OutputType>
    <AppDesignerFolder>Properties</AppDesignerFolder>
    <RootNamespace>Testcenter.RobotFramework.Exceptions</RootNamespace>
    <AssemblyName>Testcenter.RobotFramework.Exceptions</AssemblyName>
    <TargetFrameworkVersion>v4.8</TargetFrameworkVersion>
    <FileAlignment>512</FileAlignment>
    <DefineConstants>DEBUG</DefineConstants>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Debug|AnyCPU' ">
    <OutputPath>bin\Debug\</OutputPath>
    <DefineConstants>DEBUG;TRACE</DefineConstants>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Release|AnyCPU' ">
    <OutputPath>bin\Release\</OutputPath>
    <DefineConstants>TRACE</DefineConstants>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Testing|AnyCPU' ">
    <OutputPath>bin\Testing\</OutputPath>
    <DefineConstants>TEST</DefineConstants>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition=" '$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Libraries|AnyCPU' ">
    <OutputPath>bin\Libraries\</OutputPath>
    <DefineConstants>ONLY_LIBRARY</DefineConstants>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup>
    <GeneratePackageOnBuild>true</GeneratePackageOnBuild>
    <PackageId>Testcenter.RobotFramework.Exceptions</PackageId>
    <Version>1.0.0</Version>
    <Authors>Testcenter Team, Some person</Authors>
    <Company>Some company</Company>
    <PackageOutputPath>$(ProjectDir)</PackageOutputPath>
    <Description>A class library providing exception types used in the implementation itself and in keyword libraries.</Description>
    <Title>RobotFramework Remote-Library-Interface for C# (exception types)</Title>
    <Copyright>Copyright (c) Some company 2022</Copyright>
    <RepositoryUrl>https://redacted-url.com/repos/testcenter.robotframework/browse</RepositoryUrl>
    <Product>Testcenter.RobotFramework.Exceptions</Product>
    <AssemblyVersion>1.0.0</AssemblyVersion>
    <FileVersion>1.0.0</FileVersion>
    <!-- Properties which cause problems in Visual Studio. The error doesn't occur if these are commented out.
    More info here: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/75098414/unrelated-loading-error-when-adding-nuget-package-information-to-a-net-framewor
    <TargetFramework>net48</TargetFramework> -->
  </PropertyGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <Reference Include="System" />
    <Reference Include="System.Core" />
    <Reference Include="System.Data" />
    <Reference Include="System.Xml" />
  </ItemGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <Compile Include="Configuration\ConfigurationException.cs" />
    <Compile Include="Configuration\KeywordConfigurationException.cs" />
    <Compile Include="Configuration\ServerConfigurationException.cs" />
    <Compile Include="Keyword\ContinuableKeywordException.cs" />
    <Compile Include="Keyword\FatalKeywordException.cs" />
    <Compile Include="Keyword\KeywordException.cs" />
    <Compile Include="Keyword\NormalKeywordException.cs" />
    <Compile Include="Keyword\KeywordLoadingException.cs" />
    <Compile Include="Properties\AssemblyInfo.cs" />
  </ItemGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <PackageReference Include="NuGet.Build.Tasks.Pack" Version="6.4.0">
      <PrivateAssets>all</PrivateAssets>
      <IncludeAssets>runtime; build; native; contentfiles; analyzers; buildtransitive</IncludeAssets>
    </PackageReference>
  </ItemGroup>
  <Import Project="$(MSBuildToolsPath)\Microsoft.CSharp.targets" />
  <!-- To modify your build process, add your task inside one of the targets below and uncomment it. 
         Other similar extension points exist, see Microsoft.Common.targets.
    <Target Name="BeforeBuild">
    </Target>
    <Target Name="AfterBuild">
    </Target>
    -->
</Project>

The project fails to load only in Visual Studio, but loads fine in JetBrains Rider.

I have a very similar project file (seen in the solution explorer), which loads just fine and has the exact same property structure and the only difference is the NuGet-Package information and the compiled source files.

Here's also my solution file, which maybe contributes to the problem, but I wouldn't know why or how.


Microsoft Visual Studio Solution File, Format Version 12.00
# Visual Studio Version 17
VisualStudioVersion = 17.3.32901.215
MinimumVisualStudioVersion = 10.0.40219.1
Project("{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}") = "Testcenter.RobotFramework", "Testcenter.RobotFramework\Testcenter.RobotFramework.csproj", "{63B8CCEF-5C50-4F25-8E6B-C623DA1BDD2F}"
EndProject
Project("{9A19103F-16F7-4668-BE54-9A1E7A4F7556}") = "Testcenter.RobotFramework.Communication", "Testcenter.RobotFramework.Communication\Testcenter.RobotFramework.Communication.csproj", "{86F3BACB-FC4D-43FC-BA20-659600C6134C}"
EndProject
Project("{9A19103F-16F7-4668-BE54-9A1E7A4F7556}") = "Testcenter.RobotFramework.Exceptions", "Testcenter.RobotFramework.Exceptions\Testcenter.RobotFramework.Exceptions.csproj", "{DA53C3E0-7D05-4BB7-932C-97147BFB0E4C}"
EndProject
Project("{2150E333-8FDC-42A3-9474-1A3956D46DE8}") = "RobotFramework", "RobotFramework", "{1F0EA3DB-C080-432A-9948-DF8461982CDE}"
EndProject
Project("{2150E333-8FDC-42A3-9474-1A3956D46DE8}") = "Testing", "Testing", "{0A74D269-D322-40B9-9193-AC95B08DA488}"
EndProject
Project("{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}") = "Testcenter.RobotFramework.Test", "testcenter.robotframework.testing\Testcenter.RobotFramework.Test.csproj", "{2079E935-E4C0-460D-A9F1-215E4319C85C}"
EndProject
Project("{2150E333-8FDC-42A3-9474-1A3956D46DE8}") = "RobotLibraries", "RobotLibraries", "{0B0D45E9-0A08-430D-8BF5-219E15465804}"
EndProject
Project("{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}") = "Testcenter.RobotLibrary.Deditec", "Testcenter.RobotLibrary.Deditec\Testcenter.RobotLibrary.Deditec.csproj", "{C04EA17A-0B86-4180-885D-9EAEC9D5D6DC}"
EndProject
Project("{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}") = "Testcenter.RobotLibrary.Extension", "Testcenter.RobotLibrary.Extension\Testcenter.RobotLibrary.Extension.csproj", "{6E2D959E-9E66-4402-8E06-1DF0497BC92D}"
EndProject
Project("{2150E333-8FDC-42A3-9474-1A3956D46DE8}") = "CI/CD", "CI/CD", "{F691C5B2-2CF5-445C-A2A1-29F480129B6E}"
    ProjectSection(SolutionItems) = preProject
        dockerfile = dockerfile
        .dockerignore = .dockerignore
        .cicd\hello-world-pipeline.yml = .cicd\hello-world-pipeline.yml
        .cicd\robotframework-release-pipeline.yml = .cicd\robotframework-release-pipeline.yml
        .cicd\scripts\build-solution-or-project.ps1 = .cicd\scripts\build-solution-or-project.ps1
        .cicd\scripts\push-nuget-package.ps1 = .cicd\scripts\push-nuget-package.ps1
        .cicd\tasks\msbuild-project.yml = .cicd\tasks\msbuild-project.yml
        .cicd\tasks\push-nuget.yml = .cicd\tasks\push-nuget.yml
    EndProjectSection
EndProject
Project("{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}") = "Testcenter.RobotLibrary.HCS.Roombus", "Testcenter.RobotLibrary.HCS.Roombus\Testcenter.RobotLibrary.HCS.Roombus.csproj", "{80A1F57E-39D0-4E33-B8CB-27033FBAEBF4}"
EndProject
Global
    GlobalSection(SolutionConfigurationPlatforms) = preSolution
        Debug|Any CPU = Debug|Any CPU
        Libraries|Any CPU = Libraries|Any CPU
        Release|Any CPU = Release|Any CPU
        Testing|Any CPU = Testing|Any CPU
    EndGlobalSection
    GlobalSection(ProjectConfigurationPlatforms) = postSolution
        {63B8CCEF-5C50-4F25-8E6B-C623DA1BDD2F}.Debug|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Debug|Any CPU
        {63B8CCEF-5C50-4F25-8E6B-C623DA1BDD2F}.Debug|Any CPU.Build.0 = Debug|Any CPU
        {63B8CCEF-5C50-4F25-8E6B-C623DA1BDD2F}.Libraries|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Libraries|Any CPU
        {63B8CCEF-5C50-4F25-8E6B-C623DA1BDD2F}.Release|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
        {63B8CCEF-5C50-4F25-8E6B-C623DA1BDD2F}.Release|Any CPU.Build.0 = Release|Any CPU
        {63B8CCEF-5C50-4F25-8E6B-C623DA1BDD2F}.Testing|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Testing|Any CPU
        {86F3BACB-FC4D-43FC-BA20-659600C6134C}.Debug|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Debug|Any CPU
        {86F3BACB-FC4D-43FC-BA20-659600C6134C}.Debug|Any CPU.Build.0 = Debug|Any CPU
        {86F3BACB-FC4D-43FC-BA20-659600C6134C}.Libraries|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Libraries|Any CPU
        {86F3BACB-FC4D-43FC-BA20-659600C6134C}.Release|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
        {86F3BACB-FC4D-43FC-BA20-659600C6134C}.Release|Any CPU.Build.0 = Release|Any CPU
        {86F3BACB-FC4D-43FC-BA20-659600C6134C}.Testing|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Testing|Any CPU
        {DA53C3E0-7D05-4BB7-932C-97147BFB0E4C}.Debug|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Debug|Any CPU
        {DA53C3E0-7D05-4BB7-932C-97147BFB0E4C}.Debug|Any CPU.Build.0 = Debug|Any CPU
        {DA53C3E0-7D05-4BB7-932C-97147BFB0E4C}.Libraries|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Libraries|Any CPU
        {DA53C3E0-7D05-4BB7-932C-97147BFB0E4C}.Release|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
        {DA53C3E0-7D05-4BB7-932C-97147BFB0E4C}.Release|Any CPU.Build.0 = Release|Any CPU
        {DA53C3E0-7D05-4BB7-932C-97147BFB0E4C}.Testing|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Testing|Any CPU
        {2079E935-E4C0-460D-A9F1-215E4319C85C}.Debug|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Debug|Any CPU
        {2079E935-E4C0-460D-A9F1-215E4319C85C}.Libraries|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Libraries|Any CPU
        {2079E935-E4C0-460D-A9F1-215E4319C85C}.Release|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
        {2079E935-E4C0-460D-A9F1-215E4319C85C}.Testing|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Testing|Any CPU
        {2079E935-E4C0-460D-A9F1-215E4319C85C}.Testing|Any CPU.Build.0 = Testing|Any CPU
        {C04EA17A-0B86-4180-885D-9EAEC9D5D6DC}.Debug|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Debug|Any CPU
        {C04EA17A-0B86-4180-885D-9EAEC9D5D6DC}.Libraries|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Libraries|Any CPU
        {C04EA17A-0B86-4180-885D-9EAEC9D5D6DC}.Libraries|Any CPU.Build.0 = Libraries|Any CPU
        {C04EA17A-0B86-4180-885D-9EAEC9D5D6DC}.Release|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
        {C04EA17A-0B86-4180-885D-9EAEC9D5D6DC}.Testing|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Testing|Any CPU
        {C04EA17A-0B86-4180-885D-9EAEC9D5D6DC}.Testing|Any CPU.Build.0 = Testing|Any CPU
        {6E2D959E-9E66-4402-8E06-1DF0497BC92D}.Debug|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Debug|Any CPU
        {6E2D959E-9E66-4402-8E06-1DF0497BC92D}.Libraries|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Libraries|Any CPU
        {6E2D959E-9E66-4402-8E06-1DF0497BC92D}.Libraries|Any CPU.Build.0 = Libraries|Any CPU
        {6E2D959E-9E66-4402-8E06-1DF0497BC92D}.Release|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
        {6E2D959E-9E66-4402-8E06-1DF0497BC92D}.Testing|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Testing|Any CPU
        {6E2D959E-9E66-4402-8E06-1DF0497BC92D}.Testing|Any CPU.Build.0 = Testing|Any CPU
        {80A1F57E-39D0-4E33-B8CB-27033FBAEBF4}.Debug|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Debug|Any CPU
        {80A1F57E-39D0-4E33-B8CB-27033FBAEBF4}.Libraries|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Libraries|Any CPU
        {80A1F57E-39D0-4E33-B8CB-27033FBAEBF4}.Libraries|Any CPU.Build.0 = Libraries|Any CPU
        {80A1F57E-39D0-4E33-B8CB-27033FBAEBF4}.Release|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Release|Any CPU
        {80A1F57E-39D0-4E33-B8CB-27033FBAEBF4}.Testing|Any CPU.ActiveCfg = Testing|Any CPU
        {80A1F57E-39D0-4E33-B8CB-27033FBAEBF4}.Testing|Any CPU.Build.0 = Testing|Any CPU
    EndGlobalSection
    GlobalSection(SolutionProperties) = preSolution
        HideSolutionNode = FALSE
    EndGlobalSection
    GlobalSection(NestedProjects) = preSolution
        {63B8CCEF-5C50-4F25-8E6B-C623DA1BDD2F} = {1F0EA3DB-C080-432A-9948-DF8461982CDE}
        {86F3BACB-FC4D-43FC-BA20-659600C6134C} = {1F0EA3DB-C080-432A-9948-DF8461982CDE}
        {DA53C3E0-7D05-4BB7-932C-97147BFB0E4C} = {1F0EA3DB-C080-432A-9948-DF8461982CDE}
        {2079E935-E4C0-460D-A9F1-215E4319C85C} = {0A74D269-D322-40B9-9193-AC95B08DA488}
        {C04EA17A-0B86-4180-885D-9EAEC9D5D6DC} = {0B0D45E9-0A08-430D-8BF5-219E15465804}
        {6E2D959E-9E66-4402-8E06-1DF0497BC92D} = {0B0D45E9-0A08-430D-8BF5-219E15465804}
        {80A1F57E-39D0-4E33-B8CB-27033FBAEBF4} = {0B0D45E9-0A08-430D-8BF5-219E15465804}
    EndGlobalSection
    GlobalSection(ExtensibilityGlobals) = postSolution
        SolutionGuid = {8B25855F-6BB5-44FA-8793-5F3E05270044}
    EndGlobalSection
EndGlobal

I might have solved it by setting Project ToolsVersion="15.0" — Lindeberg, Jan 18 '23 at 14:27
Did not solve it for me. In the working project the `ToolsVersion` is set to `"4.0"` — HackXIt, Jan 19 '23 at 09:42

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 02 '23 at 12:41

This error occurred for me when I was switching between Debug/Release configurations. So I guess it has to do something with configurations then.

Anyway, if I switched to configuration I wanted and then restarted VS, it seems to work fine.

Just for case, someone finds this info helpful.

Project loading error due to missing DefineConstants value, but the values are defined

1 Answers1