Package And Deployment
Developer Client
System System
Applications C:\My Software
To copy it
we need registry
This Exe Files
Exe Files
Contains DLL Files
DLL Files
all these Txt Files
Txt Files
files ------
------
BMP Files Copied into it BMP Files
called as XCopy
Deployment
When it comes to Xcopy deployment the user has to perform
manual registry entry to avoid this set up creation has been
introduced.
When you create a setup for the application then it is called as
packaging
When you run the setup in the client system then it is called as
Deployment
VB 6.0 will support Cabinet{CAB} based setup when the
installation process is terminated it will not perform
UnInstallation implicitly
This problem has been overcome by introducing MSI setup ie
windows installer package setup.
.net framework supports different types of set up projects
1} setup project
this is MSI setup for desktop application
2} Websetup project
this is MSI setup for Web Application.
3} Merge Module project
this is MSM setup for libraries
4} .CAB setup
Merge Module project will be used for packaging libraries with a
particular version. This will produce MSM file. This setup can not
be taken Independently to the client system. This has to be
related with MSI setup.
The advantage of this is packaging a particular version of
library where the library can undergo changes with new version.
CAB setup is used when we want the application to be placed
for downloading on the web.
1 Go to solution explorer on right click on the solution and
select Add and then select New Project
Setup and deployment and select
Setup Project
2 Now we get FileSystemOnTargetMachine and underneath
you have
Application Folder
right Click
we get Add Project Output
Select the { file Name }
Click OK
3 Now again select FileSystemOnTargetMachine { this is for
if you have any assembly which you have to install in GAC }
right click
ADD Special Folder
Select Global Assembly Cache folder
and select the files which are
present in the Application folder drag and drop into GAC folder.
Note when we place Shared Assembly into GAC folder at the
time of installation the assembly will be placed in the GAC of the
client system.
4 In set Up some times we may require some TXT files,BMP files etc
for this do the following
Select Application Folder
Right click
Add
File
Add the files with .RTF{rich text format},*.bmp
etc.
5 In VB6.0 short cut cannot be carried with setup where as in dot net it
is supported to do,follow the steps
Select Application Folder
PrimaryOutputForClientAPP
right click
Select Create Short Cut and give name
Now drag and drop this short cut in
the Users DESKTOP folder.
6 The menu can be created under programs option of the start button.
For this Now again select FileSystemOnTargetMachine
Application Folder
Users Desktop
Users Program Menu
right click on it and select ADD Folder
And give some name “My software”
Now under user programs menu we
see “My software” right click Add project Output your name OK
7 If we want to have any dialog box or any logo etc we have
to go
In the menu
Select View Menu
Select Editor
Select User Interface {we get a dialog box }
Install
Start right click
ADD Dialog
Select SPLASH AND READ ME. select OK
8 Now under Start we get Splash Go to Properties
Splash BitMap Browse the file {*.bmp}
9 Now under ReadMe go to properties ReadMeFile
browse and select { *.rtf } files.
10 And then BUILD THE FILE WITH THE SETUP NAME .
Now go to the debug or release folder and you find the setup
files.
Save it on the desk top or in the clients place and then you get it
installed.{ you can see the short cuts in the desktop.
Microsoft is providing redistributable package called as
“[Link]”.When we run this [Link] in the client
system it will install the baseclass libraries and CLR required for
dot net application execution.
When we want to execute [Link] along with setup then
provide “INI file” for the setup.
This INI file contains the fxPath = dotnetFx
msipath = {clientAPPsetup/your
name …}
When the application is having is having crystal reports the
setup should carry “crystal report engine” for this Microsoft is
providing four Merge Module files (I.e MSM Files } include this
files in to setup project.
MSM files will come with dot net framework installation we can
see this under
c:\program files\common files\merge modules
Crystal..msm Crystal..msm
Solution Explorer
Normal One
Solution ‘Client App’
Client APP
Setup Project
Client App Setup..
Right click it
ADD Merge Module
Repeat this process
till you include all four
modules
Now Build Build Client App Setup/…your file name