sqlce and compact framework as part of cab file package

[hkhokhar12]

Hi All,

Is it possible to include sqlce and compact framework cab files as
part of my application's cab file.
So when the user taps the my application's cab file, it automatically
installs CF and Sqlce on the device along with installing my mobile
application.


Thanks in advance.

Haroon

 

[davebythesea]

Hi,

You can certainly put the .NET and SqlCe cab files within your main
installer CAB. However, when the main installer CAB unpacks, it will just
unpack the .NET and SqlCe cabs to whatever directory you specified in the
Installer setup. If you wanted to then install those cabs during the main
install phase, or just after, you would have to initiate that
programatically using some other means. Note, as far as I know, the unpacking
of the other CAB files would have to take place after the main CAB has
unpacked, as only one CAB can be unpacked at any one time, I think.

dave

 

[Paul G. Tobey [eMVP]]

Yes, that's true. The program that does the CAB installation can only have
one copy running at a time.

Paul T.

 

[dbgrick]

I've written a cab install before that installed the CF 2 on the device from
the cab file. You have to create a setup.dll that starts a monitor thread.
The monitor threads waits for the wceload to complete execution and then call
wceload against your other cab files. You know the install directory from
the setup dll Install_Exit
or Install_Init methods. If installing sqlce or cf on the device, first
verify the current version is either not present or older. You can search
the web for Multiple cab install using setup dll. You might want to check
out this web page as a starter:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb158796.aspx

You can also purchase a 3rd party tool that creates multiple cab installs.

Regards,
Rick D.

 

[hkhokhar]

I've written a cab install before that installed the CF 2 on the device from
the cab file. You have to create a setup.dll that starts a monitor thread.
The monitor threads waits for the wceload to complete execution and then call
wceload against your other cab files. You know the install directory from
the setup dll Install_Exit
or Install_Init methods. If installing sqlce or cf on the device, first
verify the current version is either not present or older. You can search
the web for Multiple cab install using setup dll. You might want to check
out this web page as a starter:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb158796.aspx

You can also purchase a 3rd party tool that creates multiple cab installs.

Regards,
Rick D.

Hi All,

Thanks guys for all your help.
During my search I found an easy way to accomplish this task. I
download the NSIS installer which allows u to create Installation
setup for window as well as for pocket pc devices. The only tricky bit
is that you have to write the installer script to create the setup for
the device. However its quite easy to do and you can specify as many
cab files you want to install on the target device and it creates and
desktop based Installation setup.
For anyone concerned, follow below link.

http://nsis.sourceforge.net/NSIS_for_Smartphone

Haroon

 

[Simon Hart [MVP]]

Another product that supports this type of install for mobile devices is
InstallShield.
--
Simon Hart
Visual Developer - Device Application Development MVP
http://simonrhart.blogspot.com

 

[davebythesea]

Hi All,

Thanks guys for all your help.
During my search I found an easy way to accomplish this task. I
download the NSIS installer which allows u to create Installation
setup for window as well as for pocket pc devices. The only tricky bit
is that you have to write the installer script to create the setup for
the device. However its quite easy to do and you can specify as many
cab files you want to install on the target device and it creates and
desktop based Installation setup.
For anyone concerned, follow below link.

http://nsis.sourceforge.net/NSIS_for_Smartphone

Haroon

Thats really good, thanks!