VB.NET Deployment of multiple EXEs referencing DLLs

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jon
  • Start date Start date
J

Jon

I have 3 VB.net executables that reference the same 3 VB.Net DLLs.
How is the best way to distribute the EXEs without putting 3 copies of
of DLL on a user's machine. I looked into Private assemblies and the
Global Assembly but I am having a hard time figuring them out.
Ideally, I would like to have one install that puts all 3 EXEs and all
3 DLLs on the workstation. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Jonathan
 
try to look at "copy local" property for all 3 dlls under
project->references node.

Rajesh Patel
 
Is there some reason why you can't have the three exes and a single copy of the
Dll in the same application folder?
 
I am fine with aving everything in 1 Application folder. How would I
create a setup project for that though?

Jonathan


Phil Wilson said:
Is there some reason why you can't have the three exes and a single copy of the
Dll in the same application folder?
--
Phil Wilson [MVP Windows Installer]
----
Jon said:
I have 3 VB.net executables that reference the same 3 VB.Net DLLs.
How is the best way to distribute the EXEs without putting 3 copies of
of DLL on a user's machine. I looked into Private assemblies and the
Global Assembly but I am having a hard time figuring them out.
Ideally, I would like to have one install that puts all 3 EXEs and all
3 DLLs on the workstation. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Jonathan
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
You just add the three exes and the Dll to the Application Folder in a Setup and
Deployment Project (if you're using Visual Studio). Maybe you've not used setup
projects before, but yours seems pretty straightforward unless I'm missing
something.
--
Phil Wilson [MVP Windows Installer]
----
Jon said:
I am fine with aving everything in 1 Application folder. How would I
create a setup project for that though?

Jonathan


"Phil Wilson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
Is there some reason why you can't have the three exes and a single copy of the
Dll in the same application folder?
--
Phil Wilson [MVP Windows Installer]
----
Jon said:
I have 3 VB.net executables that reference the same 3 VB.Net DLLs.
How is the best way to distribute the EXEs without putting 3 copies of
of DLL on a user's machine. I looked into Private assemblies and the
Global Assembly but I am having a hard time figuring them out.
Ideally, I would like to have one install that puts all 3 EXEs and all
3 DLLs on the workstation. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Jonathan
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I thought the setup project was based off a single app.
I ran the Wizard and it asked me what type of app. I
tell it Windows app and it pulls all the info from my App
that is open. Should I create a new project outside my
Windows app Solution? Is there a document of how to do
this or am I making it more complicated than I should?
Also, I need to include the files for Crystal Repotrs
also. I found the document on Crystal's web site, so I
know what needs to be done. I just want to make sure
this will not mess me up?

Jonathan

-----Original Message-----
You just add the three exes and the Dll to the
Click to expand...
Application Folder in a Setup and
Deployment Project (if you're using Visual Studio). Maybe you've not used setup
projects before, but yours seems pretty straightforward unless I'm missing
something.
--
Phil Wilson [MVP Windows Installer]
----
Jon said:
I am fine with aving everything in 1 Application folder. How would I
create a setup project for that though?

Jonathan


exes and a single copy of
the
Dll in the same application folder?
--
Phil Wilson [MVP Windows Installer]
----
I have 3 VB.net executables that reference the same 3 VB.Net DLLs.
How is the best way to distribute the EXEs without putting 3 copies of
of DLL on a user's machine. I looked into Private assemblies and the
Global Assembly but I am having a hard time figuring them out.
Ideally, I would like to have one install that puts all 3 EXEs and all
3 DLLs on the workstation. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Jonathan
Click to expand...
Click to expand...


.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I thought the setup project was based off a single app.
I ran the Wizard and it asked me what type of app. I
tell it Windows app and it pulls all the info from my App
that is open. Should I create a new project outside my
Windows app Solution? Is there a document of how to do
this or am I making it more complicated than I should?
Also, I need to include the files for Crystal Repotrs
also. I found the document on Crystal's web site, so I
know what needs to be done. I just want to make sure
this will not mess me up?

Jonathan
Click to expand...

Once the wizard has created your initial setup project with for one EXE you
can add the other EXE's to the output. The following assumes all the exe
projects are part of the same solution.

1) Right-Click on the setup project in the solution explorer and select
menu item "View->File System"
2) In the resulting window right click on "Application Folder" and select
"Add-> Project Output..." Dialog "Add Project Output Group" will open.
3) select the project from your solution that contains the next exe you
want to include
4) Select "Primary Output" from the list view.
5) click "Ok"

If you want to add an EXE to the output that is not part of the solution
change step (2) to "Add-File..." The setup project will not make sure the
project that generates the "file" is compiled from the latest source code.
Using the add "Project output" the exe will be based on the latest source
code (compiled before setup project is compiled if necassary).

Hope this helps!

Michael Lang, MCSD
 
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