微软发布VSBT：无需安装Visual Studio即可实现项目编译

安装了Visual Studio的那些使用微软平台的开发者通常能够非常容易地操作自己的项目：打开解决方案，修改内容，设置好所有必须的文件以及配置后编译项目。但是在构建服务器或者持续交付系统等没有安装Visual Studio的环境中，编译项目和解决方案是非常难的。

对于这一问题，微软之前给出的方案是提供多种工具，包括针对C++的Visual C++ Build Tools和针对托管代码（Visual Basic和C#）的Microsoft Build Tools。虽然这种方式为主要语言提供了支持，但是同时提供两个名称相似的工具增加了复杂度，且容易混淆。为了对此进行补救，微软于近日发布了Visual Studio Build Tools (VSBT)。

VSBT将之前提供的两种工具合并到了一个安装包，除此之外，通过该安装包还可以安装MFC/ATL支持、Windows通用C运行环境，以及多种Windows SDK。VSBT安装包在功能上非常类似于Visual Studio 2017，但是它的关注点主要是各种可用的构建工具（将来的版本会支持Windows XP，但是目前还不支持）。

在该版本中，从命令行运行VSBT安装程序将无法获取与相似Visual Studio安装包相同的所有功能。例如，不支持“-help”和“/?”。来自微软的Adam Welch透露，这些功能将会包含在将来的版本中。目前而言，最好的操作教程就是VS2017RC参考指南上的命令行参数说明。和以前一样，微软还会提供离线的VSBT安装包，整个离线包的大小约为2.5GB。

VSBT下一个版本将要提供的另一个功能是对Windows XP的支持。目前，下一个版本的发布时间还未确定。想直接下载安装包的开发者可以点击此处。

英文原文：

Developers working with the Microsoft platform that have a copy of Visual Studio installed, typically find themselves in a good situation regarding their projects:  they can open a solution, make changes, and compile it with the knowledge that all of the required files and settings are configured correctly.  The difficulty rises when it's time to compile projects and solutions in an environment without Visual Studio installed, such as a build server or continuous delivery system.Previously Microsoft dealt with this possibility by providing the various tools including the Visual C++ Build Tools for C++ and the Microsoft Build Tools for managed code (Visual Basic and C#).  While it's great that the major languages are supported, having two different tools with similar names increases complexity and confusion.  To remedy this, Microsoft has now released the Visual Studio Build Tools (VSBT). VSBT combines the offerings from the previous two tools into a single installer that also allows for the installation of MFC / ATL support, Windows Universal C Runtimes, and various Windows SDKs.  The installer for VSBT is very similar in function to that of VS2017, however the choices here are focused on the various build tools available (what it currently lacks until a future release is support for targeting Windows XP).For this release, running the VSBT installer from the command line does not have all of the abilities of similar Visual Studio related installers.  For example, the switch “–help” and “/?” are not supported.  Microsoft’s Adam Welch indicates that these will be part of a future release.  For now the best course of action is to refer to the VS2017RC reference on command-line parameters.  Similarly, it is possible to create an off-line installer for VSBT which will result in a download of approximately 2.5 GB.Another upcoming addition to VSBT will be support for Windows XP targeting, which this installer lacks.  A timeline for the next release of VSBT has not yet been provided.  Those looking to download the installer directly can do so through this link.