I developed a c# windows form application with a MySQL database.
I follow the following steps when I install the application on clients machines.
I install MySQL server.
I upload manually the database of my application to the MySQL server.
I run my C# application.
I need to pack all the 3 steps on one setup file which install the MySQL server and upload the database and then the user can run the C# application.
Over the years I have used a few installbuilders, and feel pretty happy with the one I am currently using: WiX.
If you want a pure .msi-based solution, then WiX is it. Especially if the MySQL guys have a msi merge module (.msm) available that you can merge with your installer.
The downside of WiX is that you are forced to focus on the finer details of things. The upside is that you can focus on the finer details. The learning curve is a bit steep, but once you have your initial installer going it won't require much maintenance and it integrates neatly with your Visual Studio solution file. msbuild and tfs support out of the box (just remember to install WiX on your build server).
Related
I know how to develop C# Winform application, but don't know anything about deployment/distribution for C#. Please say the technologies, procedures, and other setup for my objective.
Objective:
I like to develop and deploy[distribute] one small application software in C# .Net 3.5. I want some capabilities for the distribution that like other software products. ie. I want to develop software with installation wizard, set icon, and run even who didn't have any visual studio[Likewise, how the other software product like java games run without people must not installed the JDK.].
1) If you need an installer you will have to use some install wizard software. Examples are: InstallShield or WISE.
2) Otherwise you do not have to do much, just copy everything from your bin\Release folder to the other computer and run the exe file.
You can use the WiX Toolset to make installers, which also integrate into build processes if you are using a build server. It can be used to make .exe, .msi and various other types of installations, including patches.
As far as I know it's one of the more commonly used installer frameworks, and you can find it here: http://wixtoolset.org/
Deploying Applications, Services, and Components Here you can read about many of the ways you can develop and deploy services from Visual Studio 2013. There are plenty but all are well documented to suit the most different needs.
From the source
Create a setup program: You can create a setup program by using InstallShield Limited Edition, which is free. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn531020.aspx
Deploy a desktop application: By using ClickOnce deployment, you can publish a desktop application to a web server or a network
file share. Users can then install the application with a single click. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t71a733d.aspx
I am building a desktop application where it uses a local database file (.mdf). Since I was developing it on my machine I used SQL Management 2008 R2 SP2. Then I sent it out to others for feedback. But unfortunately they were not able to use it as they didn't have SP2 installed.
So, as a resolution, I want to include a sql file that would run while installing the application. I was wondering if someone could direct me how to do so.
What I have and what I think should be done is:
- Main Project (includes forms and classes - I have this working already)
- Setup Project (includes msi file that checks database existence and runs sql file accordingly - I need help on this)
I suggest you using wix to create the msi.
You know, you can no longer create setup project using visual studio (Version 2012 above). It has been removed completely.
So you should consider going in WIX (Windows Intaller XML) direction.
If you like the idea here is the quick and easy solution:
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/331368/WIXDataBase
http://wix.tramontana.co.hu/tutorial/sql/creating-a-database
But its completely up to you to think about the alternatives.
I want to build a setup file that contain windows form application that is connected to sql server how can I do that? I want to put the .net framework and sql server in the setup package how can I do that? do I need sql server or sql express in this case? I want to create the database in the installation process how can I do this? I want to check If the requirements are already installed how can I do this? hw can I improve the security of the program from stealing?? please help thanks
note my English language not good enough Smile | :)
That is a lot more than one question, and not easy to answer all at once. Anyway, assuming you're using Visual Studio 2012, you can try creating a new Install Shield project (below).
(It might be easier to help you once you've tried something, and have got a more specific question/problem)
For my projects I use Inno Setup. It lets you customize all aspects of the installer - add/remove different screens, set conditions for installing different files, for example you can check out whether SQL server is installed and install it only if it is not through scripting. Take a look at the FAQ page for more information about the features this tool offers.
There's also a sample Inno Setup file at CodePlex, that should get the job done. I haven't tried it though, so I cannot guarantee whether it works fine or not.
If you want to have installer for tomorrow, than good choice will be WIX (http://wix.sourceforge.net/). It is easy to understand and have a possibility of checking installed frameworks and OS version.
If you wish to have Framework msi installer inside yours, than you can check Wix Bootsrapper. But as far as I know it has poor flexibility to setup install steps. For this propose you can combine Wix with other for example NSIS. You can create application installer by using Wix and Bootsrapper application, which will contains your application MSI and Framework MSI, by using NSIS.
To create database during installation you also can use WIX. You need to create database generation plan, which will contain queries for creating database. This generation plan can be executed as part of the installation process (http://wix.tramontana.co.hu/tutorial/sql/creating-a-database). It is good choice wile you don't need additional information from user. In other case you will need to create custom UI.
From my experience with built in Visual Studio install tools, they're all horrible.
I highly recommend Advanced Installer. It's a very powerful tool to create installers and patches for your software. It should have all the features you need in the free version, including checking for prerequisites such as .NET Framework on the user's machine, and installing things when needed.
I looked for an answer for my problem but either I didn't find it or I didn't understand the solutions.
I'm developing an Winforms application with C# that uses a MySQL database to store information. There is only a database per LAN. What I want is to give the customers the ability to install automatically MySQL server, the application database, and the application.
I don't mind if MySQL server and the database are together in a single installer or the 3 things are together (in that case, the installer should ask the user if they want to install MySQL and the database). Right now I'm using ClickOnce to publish the application.
How can I create an installer with those 3 things?
Thank you!
Usually a bootstrapper is used to install third party apps when you are installing your application. Most commercial products offer this support, but you can also use free tools, recommended is WiX.
This question already has answers here:
Closed 11 years ago.
Possible Duplicate:
What are the specific differences between .msi and setup.exe file?
I am working on an installer for a new version of my project (C#).
Previously, I've used Inno Setup to create .exe files for installing my projects on other computers in the workplace. While reading through some tutorials, though, I came across Windows Installer XML, which uses XML files to build a .msi installer.
My project will be available on a network share that all the employees have access to so they can install the software (I'm currently working on an update checker as well)
What are the major differences between .exe and .msi installers? Why would I want to chose one over the other? Would either make more sense given my specific environment?
I found some of the information at this question, but there was not a lot of information.
I wouldn't use WiX for a new project. I'd use an 'Installer Project' in Visual Studio to build an MSI. An installer project is much, much easier to put together.
Many exe installers are actually stubs or containers that hold an MSI, btw.
I guess you've checked out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Installer?
MSI's give administrators the ability to restrict installs, rebase installs, change or add custom actions, automate installs/reinstalls/uninstalls, standard logging and switches. It just really integrates into a corporate IT environment ( http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb742606.aspx ).
A custom installer may have many of those features, but that would depend on the installer package.
Most EXE installers available today are simply stubs to verify that the target machine has just enough support to launch an MSI stored within the EXE. They do basic windows version checking and Windows Installer version checking, then essentially invoke msiexec and let Windows Installer handle the rest.
For a very basic installation, the Installer Project in Visual Studio can get you by, but for just about any kind of real customization or tweaking you'll need a real MSI editor. We use WiX and love it - but it's a bear to learn. If you've got the cash you can invest in InstallShield - but that has it's own set of quirks.
MSI is configurable while EXE is not. I know this doesn't answer your question directly, but I thought I should point towards the ClickOnce technology.
MSDN: See example here.
Simply stated, a ClickOnce application
is any Windows Presentation
Foundation, Windows Forms, or console
application published using ClickOnce
technology. You can publish a
ClickOnce application in three
different ways: from a Web page, from
a network file share, or from media
such as a CD-ROM. A ClickOnce
application can be installed on an end
user's computer and run locally even
when the computer is offline, or it
can be run in an online-only mode
without permanently installing
anything on the end user's computer.
For more information, see Choosing a
ClickOnce Deployment Strategy.
IndigoRose's MSI factory is extremely powerful and much, much cheaper than InstallShield.
It uses WiX internally and allows you to modify the XML files in any way you like. The bootstrapper (.exe, if you add one) has a powerful scripting engine based on Lua to do... well anything.