Unfortunately, it causes crashes nearly every time I start to debug the web project. I've tried the latest version and have the latest update to VS 2012. (When this is installed, can't debug, and VS2012 crashes, when it's not, everything works smoothly).
In theory this plugin would easily earn 5 stars, but it seems there are some issues with the js bundle plugin/minifier and JSHint. Two things: 1.) The minified version doesn't seem to work all the time (I mean it might be something I could fix if I would "optimize" the JS code a bit more, but for small web project I just want something that works out of the box). One thing it "broke", e.g. was the jQuery plugin jTruncate. 2.) While it seem to compress better than YUI, Google Closure Compiler seems to make a better job even with the Simple optimzations. So maybe Web Essentials could use GCC and allow a new preference, something like "advanced=true" to achieve even better minification. 3.) And possibly the most important thing: JSHint should become more customizable. E.g. there is this other VS Extension JSLint that imo does a much better job (though I don't really want another VS extension installed): You can set your custom namespaces, it is possible to check a single file on save (much better than checking all files on build, which can get really annoying if you work on big JS projects). Anyway, thanks for this quite helpful extension and up the good work.
Today I saw your session on Techday 2013 in Den Haag and you've made some really cool stuff!! The CSS hell is mitigated thanks to the Web Essentials 2012.
No more LESS support in the latest version. But "LESS" is there on the product page, there's even a LESS-settings tab in the options. Thanks for ruining our work process.
This extension is #1 result in Google for "Visual Studio LESS".
PS. the new "ASP.NET and Web Tools 2012.2" only highlights LESS code, but does not compile it!!
If I have a "base.less" file that uses for example
@import-once "palette"
and I create a style bundle for "base.css", the css file only self-builds when I save base.less but not when I save palette.css.
This is a bit of a pain, as it means I have to remember to save all the files that include a dependency every time I change the dependency, so there's a good chance of error.
Is there a better way? I've tried using the LessBundle() instead but that doesn't appear to compile LESS files into CSS but bundle LESS files for the client instead.
I'm running VS2012 Ultimate and I just updated to Web Essentials v1.8. However, every time I compile TypeScript VS crashes. Any help would be great! Also is there a link to Web Essentials 2012 v1.7?
After more playing around I found that it only crashes on "Compile TypeScript on Build". I was able to add a before-build exec command to compile TS and have Web Essentials compile on save. Still would be nice to do everything from Web Essentials though =]
There is a problem with *.d.ts files. When there are no *.d.js generated file (it is useless!) VS crashes. So remove *.d.js file and you have a problem. Why WE generates *.d.js files?
I'm using Visual Studio 2012 Update 2 with ASP.NET and Web Tools 2012.2 installed. The output Web Essentials 2012 2.6 indicates that it compiles a less file when I save it but the preview window grays out and the the actual CSS file is empty. The last version that I can get to work is 2.5.1. others on my team are experiencing this. Anyone else?
I started getting the following error after upgrading to version 2.4:
1/22/2013 5:12:27 PM: Updating bundles...
1/22/2013 5:12:27 PM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/22/2013 5:12:27 PM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/22/2013 5:12:27 PM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/22/2013 5:12:27 PM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/22/2013 5:12:27 PM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/22/2013 5:12:27 PM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/22/2013 5:12:27 PM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/22/2013 5:12:27 PM: Bundles updated
Any Ideas?
Thanks,
-Dave
The other problem related to this is that in the output window it always switches to the "Web Essentials" filter and so if you use the output windows to look for build errors then it's always hidden. It'd be nicer to have the web essentials output not display by default or always switch to its output.
DFBaskin, other people are reporting the same thing. I'm looking for a way to reproduce it. Can you tell me about the project you have open in VS - is it a Web Application Project or a Website project? Do you have multiple projects in the same solution?
Brock Allen, this is fixed in the latest nightly build 2.4.1 that can be downloaded here: http://vswebdessentials.com/download
The solution contains two web projects (not web sites) and 22 projects overall. Also, all of the projects are organized under solution folders -- none are at the solution root. It also contains other solution folders that contain solution files, not projects.
Thanks,
-Dave
After upgrading to 2.4.5, I'm seeing this output (VS 2012):
1/25/2013 12:58:06 PM: Updating bundles...
1/25/2013 12:58:06 PM: The parameter is incorrect. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070057 (E_INVALIDARG))
at EnvDTE.Properties.Item(Object index)
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at EnvDTE.Properties.Item(Object index)
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/25/2013 12:58:06 PM: Bundles updated
I'm seeing the same as bdukes, I still have errors with 2.4.5 (I've tried 2.4.1 & 2.4.21 as well).
Note: My solution files do not reside in the root folder of the project, it is in a subfolder of the root folder. It might be useful to expand the exception messages with more info?
@Mads -- got the latest and looks like it's somewhat fixed. If you open the project and build it seems to set WE as the "Show output from". I change it to "Build" and then it's fine.... until I close VS and open the project again. Then it's back to WE. Anything you can do to prevent WE from "trumping" the output window?
Upgraded to latest (v2.4.5), still get the error:
1/30/2013 7:51:52 AM: Updating bundles...
1/30/2013 7:51:52 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/30/2013 7:51:52 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/30/2013 7:51:52 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/30/2013 7:51:52 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/30/2013 7:51:52 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/30/2013 7:51:52 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/30/2013 7:51:52 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
1/30/2013 7:51:52 AM: Bundles updated
Thanks,
-Dave
After upgrading to 2.4.5 bundles stopped working without error message. I've upgraded to 2.4.5.1 nightly, but still nothing.
This happens in a simple solution with only one TS project, so that should be easy to reproduce.
6 TS files that compile on save and build. Bundle configured to take the 6 JS files, combine and minify.
Same setup was working without issues with prior version.
Thanks,
Rainer
Got some additional, similar errors, too, if they are helpful:
2/11/2013 2:07:33 PM: The parameter is incorrect. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070057 (E_INVALIDARG))
at EnvDTE.Properties.Item(Object index)
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.TypeScriptMargin.CompileProjectFiles(Project project)
at EnvDTE.Properties.Item(Object index)
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.TypeScriptMargin.CompileProjectFiles(Project project)
Thanks,
-Dave
Still getting this in 2.5.1 and VS 2012
Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
i'm getting the same error :
Paramètre incorrect. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070057 (E_INVALIDARG))
at EnvDTE.Properties.Item(Object index)
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at EnvDTE.Properties.Item(Object index)
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
it occurs only when i enable the "compile on build" option for typescript.
Thanks,
Quentin
I'm also still getting the NullRef exception everytime I rebuild the solution with v2.6 and VS2012 (11.0.51106.01 Update 1). The project type is {FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC} (C# Console app ?) and i'm only using .less files.
3/26/2013 11:13:09 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
Getting this on 2.6, the whole plugin is non-functional :(
09/04/2013 14:57:32: The parameter is incorrect. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070057 (E_INVALIDARG))
at EnvDTE.Properties.Item(Object index)
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at EnvDTE.Properties.Item(Object index)
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
I tend to have WPF solutions open way more often than web solutions.
I keep getting this - I am running the latest version of VS12/WebEssentials 12. This is not a new error, please fix it.
3/28/2013 11:31:19 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
3/28/2013 11:31:19 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
3/28/2013 11:31:19 AM: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.ProjectHelpers.GetRootFolder()
I currently have the preview window turned on for WE, but can't seem to get it to show. I never get an exception and it's compiling the CSS properly, but would like the preview pane back. Are there any known plugins that will cause this to go away or other issues I should check?
Just upgraded to 2.6 - whenever I try to save a bundle, I get this error:
04/04/2013 11:10:53: Root element is missing.
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Read()
at System.Xml.XmlLoader.Load(XmlDocument doc, XmlReader reader, Boolean preserveWhitespace)
at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(XmlReader reader)
at System.Xml.XmlDocument.LoadXml(String xml)
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.BundleFilesMenu.GetXmlDocument(String filePath)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseDocumentContent()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Read()
at System.Xml.XmlLoader.Load(XmlDocument doc, XmlReader reader, Boolean preserveWhitespace)
at System.Xml.XmlDocument.Load(XmlReader reader)
at System.Xml.XmlDocument.LoadXml(String xml)
at MadsKristensen.EditorExtensions.BundleFilesMenu.GetXmlDocument(String filePath)
It's in a Website Solution. I've also been having problems with bundles not updating in MVC solutions containing multiple projects - in some cases this can cause VS to completely crash and restart on build, and sometimes the bundles just do nothing. Help!
P.S. might be worth noting that using Right click > Web Essentials > Create [css/js] bundle file in the solution explorer works absolutely fine the first time, but after that the bundles won't update.
Hi!
Web Essentials 2012 doesn't seem to handle the LESS concept of marking mixins an important.
Doing something like this:
.input-validation-error {
.inputHighlight(@red) !important;
}
Gives the following warning:
Missing a property name before the colon (':') in the "(property) : (value)" declaration.
And when I compile the following error:
LESS: 'undefined' is null or not an object
I'm using version 2.6.
That's very strange. Are you using the WAP project system like MVC uses or a website project? Also, is the project placed inside solution folders or in the root of the solution?
It seems there is a bug with @import relative paths?
This used to work:
@import "..\..\less\global-mixins.less";
.breadcrumb {
background-image: none;
padding-left: 0px;
}
2.6 creates an empty css file.
When removing the @import, the generated css contains the .breadcrumb class.
The global-mixins.less also contains @import lines that are relative to the global-mixins.less file.
// Ryan
Hey Mad's Not sure if you remember but this sort of thing also happened when you upgraded .less to 1.3.1 to 1.3.2 before. Have you updated it again? I am also getting this issue where 2.6 is breaking my files due to imports. From memory it was items that went back more than one level in hierarchy.
Less files stops working at random when I upgrade. Now with 2.6 and 2.5.1 it has totally stop working for me.
I use a solution with different projects and the project I have less files in is a .Net 4.5 project with ASP.Net MVC 4.
It's a nice extension but the less functionality keeps breaking now and then when I update it.
At the moment less files:
...does not compile anymore.
...does not syntax highlight anymore.
Where does Web Essentials (WE) store its settings? When I configured to minify some css/js files in the website project it restores those dependencies when the solution reopened. However, when I merged changes to another TFS branch the dependencies have been lost.
E.g. in the merged solution there are x.css and x.min.css (on the same hierarchy level) and WE option to minimize css is disabled. Sure, I can remove min.css and minify it but it would be a new file and merge history will be lost.
Any hints how to restore the WE settings?
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