psychdrum
asked on
exporting a VB.NET program
Hi
I am new to VB.NET. I wrote a relatively simple program that I would like to use on other computers (that don’t have VB.NET installed).
I have a book that describes how to destribute applications and I followed instructions outlined there, but, alas, to no avail. I know that I need to create an .msi file and to do that I ran a setup project which should create a windows installer file (with a .msi extention)
Here is what I went so far.
File -->add project --> new project.
I named my project “Leib Program” and ran the setup wizard
At the end of this I expected to find Leib Program folder with the .msi file inside. The only folders that I found inside the “Leib program” folder with an empty “Debug” folder, and empty “Release” folder and a Leib Program file.
Please Help:)
Thanks in advance and best regards, Leib
I am new to VB.NET. I wrote a relatively simple program that I would like to use on other computers (that don’t have VB.NET installed).
I have a book that describes how to destribute applications and I followed instructions outlined there, but, alas, to no avail. I know that I need to create an .msi file and to do that I ran a setup project which should create a windows installer file (with a .msi extention)
Here is what I went so far.
File -->add project --> new project.
I named my project “Leib Program” and ran the setup wizard
At the end of this I expected to find Leib Program folder with the .msi file inside. The only folders that I found inside the “Leib program” folder with an empty “Debug” folder, and empty “Release” folder and a Leib Program file.
Please Help:)
Thanks in advance and best regards, Leib
Lacutah
You will need to build your installer project, similar to how you have to build the program when you're programming. The shortcut usally is [CTRL]-[SHIFT]-B
check here you will definitely find the solution:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/cpguide/html/cpconDeployingNETFrameworkApplications.asp?frame=true
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/cpguide/html/cpconDeployingNETFrameworkApplications.asp?frame=true
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ASKER
Thanks Carl.
I have done that. The problem is that when I try to run the installation file on a different computer I get the following message; “This setup requires the .NET framework version 1.1.4322. Please install the .NET framework…”.
Am I doing something wrong?
Leib
I have done that. The problem is that when I try to run the installation file on a different computer I get the following message; “This setup requires the .NET framework version 1.1.4322. Please install the .NET framework…”.
Am I doing something wrong?
Leib
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An easier way is to just download the .net framework on the target machine
dotnetfx.exe is located at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=262d25e3-f589-4842-8157-034d1e7cf3a3&DisplayLang=en
dotnetfx.exe is located at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=262d25e3-f589-4842-8157-034d1e7cf3a3&DisplayLang=en
Carl-
That is easier for a single machine but when you want to start distributing aplications to more than one user, or if the user only has a modem or no intenet access it is not as simple.
The bootstrapper also checks for the correct version of the .net framework on the target machine and if needed prompts them to install it all in the same user interface as the MS installer used by your application. It not only saves time but it is also slightly more professional than asking the user to have to go and download some random program that they have no idea about in order to make yours work!
That is easier for a single machine but when you want to start distributing aplications to more than one user, or if the user only has a modem or no intenet access it is not as simple.
The bootstrapper also checks for the correct version of the .net framework on the target machine and if needed prompts them to install it all in the same user interface as the MS installer used by your application. It not only saves time but it is also slightly more professional than asking the user to have to go and download some random program that they have no idea about in order to make yours work!
Hey Bio,
You make a very good point. I keyed off of 'New to VB Programming' and went for easiest to get him up and running. The bootstrapper was an interesting article which seems to do most of what InstallShield10 has been doing for me.
Can you still make a relatively small setup package after you install the bootstrapper?
You make a very good point. I keyed off of 'New to VB Programming' and went for easiest to get him up and running. The bootstrapper was an interesting article which seems to do most of what InstallShield10 has been doing for me.
Can you still make a relatively small setup package after you install the bootstrapper?
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ASKER
Thanks guys. I’ve installed the .net framework, and was then able to install my program. It wasn’t possible to install the bootstrapper. When I tried a message appeared that the .net framework was needed to complete the installation.
I do find it surprising that one needs to install the vb.net framework just to distribute a a few lines of code. In C all you need to do is make an executable and its ready to go.
Thanks for your help. Your comments were great!
Leib
I do find it surprising that one needs to install the vb.net framework just to distribute a a few lines of code. In C all you need to do is make an executable and its ready to go.
Thanks for your help. Your comments were great!
Leib