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.
Related
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).
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 want to create a Windows Application in VS 2012 with database in MS SQL server 2008. How can I create a setup which creates this database?
I don't want to install SQL Server on the target PC. I just want to install my application and create the database. How can I do this?
I'd use WindowsInstallerXML (WiX) to create the installation package; with WiX there is native support to handle database creation and hopefully this should be suitable to help you with what you need.
However, WiX can be incredibly difficult to just pick up and learn (especially if you need help with English) so this might not be the best option for you.
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.
this is my first post in stackoverflow, I've always checked this site by searching in google, so I decided to join it myself! I hope to be useful to others
I'm a 3d developer (DirectX), but recently I've started making an SMS gateway using C# and SQL Express, now I'm going to create a setup file for my project (which uses .NET 3.5), what are my options? I've heard that VS 2008 can make setup, is there any sample? how can I include SQL express in my setup app?
also I've downloaded Install Shield 2010 which has a built-in support for VS 2008, I want to make my setup in a way that it detects SQL on target system and if it finds SQL already installed, doesn't try to install it again (the same rule can be applied for .NET), what are my options? how can I make such a setup file?
thanks
With Microsoft's Visual Studio, there is an inbuilt Setup Template which you can use.
Click Once
For your scenario you should take a look at Adding Click once Custom Prerequisites.
Setup And Deployment Application
For your scenario you should take a look at the Walk-through.
Or as you mentioned you have InstallSheild 2010 then:
Install Shield Wizard
Take a look at this Walk-through with Limited Edition
As for SQL Server i think you can usually go as far as SQL Server Compact Edition. (For anything greater you may need to Inform User to install it himself)
I have no personal experience with it, but SQL Server 2008 Compact might be good for this. It is an embedded solution so so you don't actually need to install a server. Alternatively you could look at SQLite, which has native .NET implementations (google for "sqlite .net").