Make the PackageReference support general purpose for all languages

[davkean]

We added support for <PackageReference /> this release, but other languages/project types are interested in consuming it including C++, MSIX deployment and NuGetizer.

The work required, that I can see is:

• General purpose the PackageRestoreInitiator and make it work for all project types. Done - works via PackageReferences capability (16.1)
• General purpose the ProjectAssetsFileWatcher and make it work for all project types. Done - works via PackageReferences capability (16.1)
• Embed restore rules into .NET Project System
• NuGet features should light up for projects that have the capability; "PackageReferences" (NuGet features should light up for projects that have the capability; "PackageReferences" NuGet/Home#9957, Enable custom CPS projects to be restored NuGet/NuGet.Client#3644)
• <ProjectAssetsFile> needs to be moved lower than the SDK
• Figure out how all these project types pick up the NuGet SDK tasks/targets that produce assets (references, copy to output items, etc) for consumption during build and assets that are used to populate the DependenciesTree.
• Move PackageRestore code to CPS -or- install .NET Project System in all the same places as CPS
  • Without this, Package Restore code would not light up if we weren't installed.

[kzu]

Is there an update on when the "Microsoft.PackageDependency.Sdk` will ship @natidea?

I'm on 15.6 Preview 3 but it's not there yet :(

[natidea]

Is there an update on when the "Microsoft.PackageDependency.Sdk` will ship

@kzu our most recent discussions on this have focused on refactoring these tasks because of performance concerns. The SDK team has already made changes to the command line build to avoid this code path because it was too expensive. For the dependencies tree, we are considering several options including perhaps bypassing MSBuild to improve the performance profile. /cc @nguerrera @livarcocc

I don't have any other updates yet, but will post something as our plans unfold.

[kfertitta]

Is there an update on this issue? We have a custom project system for which we really need to support PackageReference. We'd be happy to require the latest shipping VS version as the minimal version, but it's not clear if support is yet available.

Thanks in advance.

[kzu]

Ditto, would love to see this happen 👍