Old question: installing .Net apps on user devices

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sarah Smith
  • Start date Start date
S

Sarah Smith

hello,

This is an old question, but one I'm still a little unclear about.

When you've finnished writing, debugging and building your .NT CF app,
you need to be able to install it in a pain free manner on a user's
Pocket PC.

The build tools in VS2003 build a CAB file and an INF file (with
several CAB files for different devices).

I understand it is not enough to just copy 2 files to the device.

Several actions need to be performed. The CAB file needs to be
unpacked and placed correctly etc..

Is this the job of the INF file? or is there a feature of active sync
that will take care of all of this?

Is there some feature of one of the components involved that can
figure out which CAB file should be installed? Also, is there a smart
way to detect the framework on devices older than WM2003?

SS.

PS. thanks to all so far in this group. You have saved me so much time
and I learned a lot from talking with you. Thank you.
 
As long as the device has the Compact Framework on it you can simply copy
the cab to the device and tap it in File Explorer to install. You'll need to
ensure you have the right version of the cab for the device. You can perform
the installation through ActiveSync Add/Remove by creating an INI file which
specifies the details of the application and lists the CAB files provided.
The device will be queried for its CPU type and the appropriate cab will be
installed. You can use a tool like EZSetup
(http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/ezsetup/?en) or many other
commercial tools to create an installer. Alternatively this article
describes how to create a Windows Installer project with Visual Studio and
add in a process for deploying your device project.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnnetcomp/html/netcfdeployment.asp

This article describes the .INI file format for ActiveSync App Manager and a
sample deployment package.

Peter
 
You may also like to view the recorded version of my recent Web Cast
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032246465&Culture=en-US

I will be repeating this sometime in the next couple of weeks.
http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032244003

Cheers
Chris

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