Developing a Module as a Visual Studio Project: how to copy the relevant files upon build? How to organise the VS Project?

Question

I developed a Sitecore Control in its own separate Visual Studio Project. In order for it to work, it needs (among other things) to have some of its files copied to the Startup Project.

I have been told to look at post-build events and xcopy, but none of the macros usable by default seems to do what I need.

Question 1: How do I copy an arbitrary group of files to the Startup Project (preserving folder structure) upon build?

Furthermore, I added a package with the Core database items my module needs in the project repo; Sure, I have built a Sitecore Package with everything ready, but I would like to make the source available as well. Thus,

Question 2: is there a better way to organize and share a developed Module other than a VS Project?

EDIT: to be more clear, my Control requires adding files under the /sitecore/shell folder. As I change them during development, I should copy them manually to the web root, so I'd rather have this done automatically.

Answer 1

Question 1 Answer:

• Under your VS web project, create identical structure as you need for all files under your_sitecore_instance_path/Sitecore/ folder that you would like to deploy:

You just need to specify "Content" as their build action in Properties.

Create WDP package to webdeploy it or you can use TDS (see below).

• Use TDS or Unicorn; If you use TDS -> create ClientName.TDS.Core project where you add all core database items that you would like to share / deploy to Sitecore. You can link TDS to your web VS project created in first step and you can create Sitecore update package. This can be then easily deployed to Sitecore (both Sitecore items for core db and also files in /sitecore/ folder)

Question 2 Answer:

Sounds legit :)

Best would be if your team uses Git or other code repository that supports branching. You should create branch for this feature. Add your VS project into solution based on what was written in Question 1 Answer and then commit, push and integrate your branch back to main / trunk or create pull request.