Dotnet application deployment

[frank.grunwald]

Hello,

Sorry if you find my question stupid, I'm kind of newb' in windows
development.

I developped a simple application that makes a systray icon, a context
menu and a few simple forms attached to it. It has been developed
using the .net framework 2.0

Everything is working fine but when trying to run it on a computer
that doesn't have the framework 2.0 installed it doesn't run (I
expected that).

After searching around I found the acceptable options :
1) force the .net framework installation during my setup process. I
really don't like this way : the framework is around 20 MB (my app is
around 100 kb...) and it needs other software like windows installer
3.0 or service pack 2 for XP to get installed
2) get my code modified to windows native (without using the CLR). I
tried this but I could not find ressource on how to build and design
forms without using the framework
3) Using some third party software : I found a deployment tool from
remotesoft but it's quite expensive and doesn't work really well. I do
not really trust that kind of tools

Is there any other option I didn't see ? Thanks for your help, I feel
quite lost
Frank

 

[Norman Yuan]

Make .NET framework as your app's requirement, so let users to make choice:
install .NET framework 2.0 (say, via Windows update), then use your app. If
no, .NET 2.0, then do not use your app. After all, ore and more Windows box
will have .NET framework by one way or the other. You, as app developer,
should be realise this requirement before committing your time on it: .NET
allows you do a sys tray app (or other apps) easily and quickly, that comes
with expense: .NET framework.