How to merge exe(of managed and unmanaged code) and dlls into single exe ?

Question

Hi,
My VC++ application(managed code) uses unmanaged code library(.lib) and am using VS2005.
During deployment, I also need to send some dlls along with the exe. I just want all the modules (external dlls to be deployed and the exe) into a single exe.
I tried using ILMerge, but when i run the merged exe it throws up exception as "bad unmanaged code entrypoint". But if i try the same with pure managed code(without any unmanaged lib included), then the merged exe runs fine.
I also tried Netz. Could not successfully run with this too. Pure managed code runs fine here too.

So, clarification i need is whether the exe generated from a code(which has both managed and unmanaged code) can be merged with dlls? if yes, pls let me know the steps too.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

If on exe is your requirement, you can compress everything in a self-extract exe.

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Answer 2

You should be using some kind of installation/setup program, generating an MSI. There is one built right into Visual Studio (non-Express version). Check out the "Setup and Deployment" group of project templates.

Answer 3

Thanks for the replies..

Alternatively, I tried to package my application and dotnet framework instead of merging my application with the DLLs.

Used freely available Innosetup compiler for packaging. Script to package these is clearly described at this link

http://zerosandtheone.com/blogs/vb/archive/2008/06/23/vb-net-install-your-app-and-the-net-framework-using-inno-setup.aspx

Hope this helps others for packaging and deploying their applications :-)