How to Deploy VB.Net application?

Question

Hi guys,

I Googled my problem but couldn't get exactly what i want. My problem's here:

I finished developing my VB.NET project in Microsoft Visual Studio 2008

I use MySQL Server 5.0 for the database and MySQL Connector/NET 5.0.9 to communicate.

I also have crystal reports in the project.

I want to deploy my application; the program itself, MySQL database (it is in C:\Program Files (x86)\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.0\data\sisdb) , MySQL Connector/NET, crystal report and redistributable .NET framework in a .exe/.msi setup file.

It doesn't matter SINGLE or MULTIPLE .exe/.msi setup(s) all i want to is to have the simple installation process in any target machine.

I'll roll on the floor thanking you for your help as i will always will.

I want you to pardon my too many redundant "i" :)

Cheers >>>

Answer 1

If you want to use ClickOnce deployment, here is some overview information.

ClickOnce Overview

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/142dbbz4(VS.90).aspx

 

HowTo publish a clickonce app   

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/31kztyey(VS.80).aspx   

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/31kztyey.aspx  (vs2010)

You can use the Bootstrapper Manifest Generator to create the bootstrapper packages for each component and deploy them as prerequisites to the application. Here's some info on that:

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winformssetup/thread/92d68fc3-3c00-4435-9d45-f781aad89ad1

 

http://jcrawfor74.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/bootstrap-manifest-generator-how-to-custom-pre-requisites/

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms165429.aspx

If you aren't using an Express version of Visual Studio, you can create a setup & deployment package, but you'll still need to create prerequisites.

how to set up a setup & deployment package
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307353

RobinDotNet 

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Click here to visit my ClickOnce blog!
Microsoft MVP, Client App Dev

Answer 2

Hi Robin,

Thank you very much. I tried but its not working at all because this is my first time of having MySQL Server project.

PLEASE HELP ME, i want is it to make it installable set up for other target machine.

Here is the COMPLETED VB.NET project:
http://www.4shared.com/file/4UBh92gQ/Project_Code.html  

I include the project database "sisdb" copied from my machine (C:\Program Files (x86)\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.0\data\sisdb)

Please I used:

- Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
- MySQL Server 5.0 
- MySQL Connector/NET 5.0.9
- Crystal Reports
- I also have access database in the bin\debug directory

My current working project directory is C:\SIS\

I CAN NEVER Thank YOU enough Robin >>>

Answer 3

Hi Nura,

Since you said that your project needs MySql support, you need to create a custom prerequisite for MySql. Then the mysql server will be installed before the msi package is installed. You could follow the document below:
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/aspnet/Add_Custom_Prerequisite.aspx

Regards,
Aland Li 

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Answer 4

Aland is right. You'll need custom prerequisites for anything that you want installed in addition to the ClckOnce application itself.

You will need to include the database file in your project and set the build action to 'content' and 'copy to output directory' to 'copy if newer'.

I don't recommend using "the clickonce way" of handling data, I recommend handling it differently; here is an article about it:

http://robindotnet.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/where-do-i-put-my-data-to-keep-it-safe-from-clickonce-updates/

Robin

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Click here to visit my ClickOnce blog!
Microsoft MVP, Client App Dev

Answer 5

Thanks Robin/Alan for you responses,

My silly question is, Must i have to install MySQL Server and MySQL Connector/NET for my application to work in other machines?

 

Thanks >>>

Answer 6

Hi Nura,

It depends on the architecture of the application which will be installed.

1. The application is a client application, you need to include MySQL Connector/NET if the client directly connects to the MySql server, you do not need to include anything if the application connects to a server application via Web Service or other protocols.

2. The installed application is a server application, both the MySQL Server and MySQL Connector/NET need to be included.

Regards,
Aland Li

MSDN Subscriber Support in Forum
If you have any feedback on our support, please contact [e-mail]

 

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Answer 7

Hi guys,

 

Thank you all for your reply. I actually confused myself for reading too many articles on deployments issue.

 

I actually resort to use the old-fashioned XCOPY combined with little tricks in the following script:

 

@ECHO OFF
 
ECHO Welcome to SIS installations process! 
ECHO For safety reasons it may take 25mins 
ECHO or more depending on your system speed. Good Luck!

ECHO.
ECHO Currently installing MySQL Server ...

START /WAIT MySQL5.0.msi 
ECHO Server was successfully Installed!

ECHO.
ECHO Currently installing MySQL Data Connector ...

START /WAIT mysql-connector-net-509_2.exe
ECHO Data Connector was successfully Installed!

ECHO.

ECHO Configuring SIS Database. Please wait ...

XCOPY sisdb "C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.0\data\sisdb" /D /E /C /R /I /K /Y
XCOPY sisdb "C:\Program Files (x86)\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.0\data\sisdb" /D /E /C /R /I /K /Y

ECHO.
ECHO Database Configured Successfully! 

ECHO.
ECHO Currently installing Report Viewer ...

START /WAIT CRRedist2008_x86.msi
START /WAIT CRRedist2008_x64.msi
ECHO Viewer was successfully Installed!

ECHO.
ECHO Currently installing .NET Framework 3.5 ...

START /WAIT dotnetfx35.exe
ECHO Framework is ready!

ECHO.
ECHO All Prerequisites were installed!
ECHO Now installing main SIS Software ...

START /WAIT SISsoft.exe
ECHO SIS' was successfully Installed!

All i want was for user to hit single button and follow the on-screen instruction.

 

Have a nice day >>>

Answer 8

i developed my windows application in x64 ........i want to publish it to work for x86.....how can i do.......

Answer 9

Just set the TargetCPU to x86. You'll have to either do separate deployments, or target your 64-bit machines with x86 as well.

RobinDotNet

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Click here to visit my ClickOnce blog!
Microsoft MVP, Client App Dev