title: Is a separate Visual Studio license required for a build machine?
body: <p>I know that some companies allow you to install their products on build machines as required without requiring a separate license (DevExpress is one that comes to mind). However I was wondering if Microsoft had the same allowances on licenses.</p>
  
  <p>MSBuild does not support vdproj directly and require you to run Visual Studio from the command line to build the setup project. See <a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/nikhilsi/archive/2008/06/11/visual-studio-setup-and-deployment-projects-and-msbuild.aspx" rel="noreferrer">here</a></p>
  
  <p>I need to produce a setup file via an automated build; do I need to purchase an additional license for the build machine?</p>
  
  <p><strong>Edit</strong>: I have spoken to our admin in charge of licensing and he was happy for me to install VS2008 on the build machine without purchasing an additional license, believing that a license should not be required. If I here more official information I will update again.</p>
  
  <p><strong>Edit 2</strong>: I have heard that Microsoft will allow VS2008 to be installed on a build machine as long as the instance is not being used by a developer for active development.</p>