Solving BizTalk "error X2044"

Strange compilation error in BizTalk 2004 when importing a web service.

When you see an error message like:

C:\Project\Web References\ExtRef\MyOrch.odx(445,23): error X2044: symbol '@@@@' is already defined; the first definition is in assembly @@@.dll : It may be possible to disambiguate by using fully qualified names.

The way to fix this error is to do the following:

• Open the orchestration in Notepad (In my case MyOrch.odx)
• Do a find (Ctrl+F) for “#endif // __DESIGNER_DATA”
• Delete all the code below that line
• Save your file in Notepad
• Say yes when Visual Studio asks if you want to update your file
• Recompile

Note: The code will not be regenerated until you edit an expression shape, etc. Add a “//” or something and you will then see the code re-appear when you open it in Notepad again.

Source: BIA - The BizTalk Intelligence Agency