Tip #1: Add Command Line Shortcut to "12 Hive"

When you're in a command prompt, sometimes you need to navigate to the 12 Hive directory. But no one wants to type the directory path to c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12. Wouldn't it be easier if you could just type the following to get there?

c:\>cd\
c:\>cd %12hive%
c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12

I'd sure say it is! The other thing is I almost always want to be within a Visual Studio Command Prompt to have easy access to things like SN.EXE and GACUTIL.EXE. A VS Command Prompt is nothing more than a simple batch file. I've created my own batch file that executes the VS Command Prompt batch file and sets the %12HIVE% variable to the 12 Hive directory. Here's how:

1. Create a new file called SharePointCommandPrompt.cmd and insert the following text in it (if you're on a 64 bit system, you'll want to make the appropriate changes):

   @echo off
   echo Setting 12HIVE environment variable.
   set 12HIVE="C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12"
   "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\VC\vcvarsall.bat" x86

2. After saving the file, create a new shortcut with the following target:

   %comspec% /k ""c:\[Path To The File You Just Created]\SharePointCommandPrompt.cmd""

3. To put a cherry on top, drag the shortcut onto your Quick Launch toolbar... should work like a champ!

To try it out, click the shortcut and type CD %12HIVE% at the command prompt. You should change directories to the root of the 12 Hive.

For more tips you might like to visit andrewconnell blog.