SHPROJ File

Shared Project Code files, also known as Shared Asset Projects with the extension .SHPROJ, have a format created for Microsoft Visual Studio. They store source code designed for other projects, which is incorporated into them. By themselves, they do not compile into a library or program. They may contain compiler directives conditioning the inclusion of various code sections depending on the application projects. This solution is utilized by developers working in the Microsoft Visual Studio environment.

Application of SHPROJ files

Most often, SHPROJ files are used to share similar code across applications, for example, across different platforms. They function similarly to file linking, but with full IDE support. For instance, they can store class files with layers such as:

• data,
• data access,
• business,
• service access.

Each layer can be divided into sections for specific platforms thanks to compiler directives, for example, Android, iOS, Windows.

How SHPROJ files are created

Files with the .SHPROJ extension are most often created at the moment of creating a project. They can be generated automatically when a project is created from a template and includes cross-platform, universal application. It is also possible to create a Shared Project on one’s own or add it as an element to an existing project. In the MS Visual Studio IDE, it is not verified until another project refers to it. References are created on the same principle as to classic libraries.