How to build a single cab installer for CF2/SQLMobile app

[Guest]

I have a CF2 app I am distributing which also uses an SQLMobile database. I
would like to build one single cab file to install the whole thing.
Currently, I have to install CF2, restart the device, and then install my app
and SQL Mobile. Any pointers on getting this process as simplified as
possible?

 

[Ilya Tumanov [MS]]

You can not build a single CAB. Breaking NETCF CAB apart is not allowed by
license (and would invalidate CAB signature).

CAB in a CAB is not an option either because only one instance of WCELOAD is
allowed.



You should deploy components one by one which is what you already doing.



Note you can ignore restart after NETCF is installed and proceed installing
the rest.

Restart is only needed if you have managed application running at the time
of NETCF installation.

To be on a safe side you can restart after installation is completed.


--
Best regards,


Ilya

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[Graham McKechnie]

Ilya,

Are you saying that adding the Sqlce cab to the rest of your apps installer
is considered breaking a NETCF cab apart?

I've just managed to get that to work in my installer, using rapi to wceload
the sqlce cab after the rest of the installer has finished using
Start.WaitForExit() in the custom installer part. Start is using CeAppMgr to
unpack my cab, which also contains the sql ce cab. I just added the sql ce
cab to the inf file on the installer app.

I hope you don't consider that a no no.

I'm doubtful if it will work on a WM5 device, but I was going to figure that
out when I purchase a WM5 ppc. My app is still using Sqlce 2.0, not mobile.

Graham

 

[Guest]

He's saying that extracting the contents of the CAB and then putting them
into another CAB with other files is a violation.

-Chris

 

[Graham McKechnie]

Chris,

Ok, Yes I understand what you are saying, but that was not how I read what
Ilya stated. So sql ce cab included in your own cab is ok.

Thanks for the confirmation.

Graham