VB 2008, how to do installation for small program with a lot of files

[Stokrotka]

I have written program in Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition.
Program use directory with a lot (more then 500) files.
I want to send this program to my private www.
So far I zipped it together (program.exe and directory with files), and
after unzipped it program run correctly, but it
isn't good way of installation, for example it wasn't possible to uninstall
it by one click of mouse.

So I want to used Microsoft program to make installation version by
Build/Publish.
I read about name_of_file.vscontent and about anything.vsi ,
but without positive result.
At first something said that there is no any file,
now installation program don't say anything, but at place where is program
after installation and near, there isn't any file from this directory with
more then 500 files.

So I thing, that publish program don't copy any file from project to
installation
version or ,
installation program don't copy file from installation program to place
where program is after instalation.

There are two examples in help,one of them is:


<VSContent xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/vscontent/2005">
<Content>
<FileName>MyProjectTemplate.zip</FileName>
<DisplayName>Sample Project Template</DisplayName>
<Description>A project template created for this
example.</Description>
<FileContentType>VSTemplate</FileContentType>
<ContentVersion>2.0</ContentVersion>
<Attributes>
<Attribute name="ProjectType" value="Visual Basic"/>
<Attribute name="ProjectSubType" value=""/>
<Attribute name="TemplateType" value="Project"/>
</Attributes>
</Content>
</VSContent>

____________
I test it but I :
1. create sylabyinstal.vscontent file from txt file and import it to project
VB2008, but VB2008 understands it I think, because used colours in it.
2. change 2005 to 2008,(at first line)
3. change lines to this:
<FileName>sylaby.zip</FileName>
<DisplayName>nazwa instala</DisplayName>
<Description>opis instala.</Description>
4. change line to this:
<Attribute name="ProjectType" value="Item"/> ????????????
5. delete
<Attribute name="ProjectSubType" value=""/> ??????????
<Attribute name="TemplateType" value="Project"/>??????????

Next I have my sylaby.zip file and sylabyinstal.vscontent file , and I
zipped it together. (?)
Next I change .zip to .vsi
Next I copy sylaby.vsi to project directory. (??, copy sylaby.zip to project
directory?)
Next I published my program by build/published
Next I install my program.

And in program directory there aren't any sylaby file.

I think I have bad attributes but I don't know what is bad.

 

[dududada]

I can not help you out with that way you prefer actually. But may be you like to take a look on this road:
(I can not set up here a link) so make a surch with: "devcity setup project"
There shal be a link which leads you to a really good explication, based up vb-code.

There might be something else you need to know, but before that make sure you can use it with your express edition.

good night albert

 

[Jeff Johnson]

So I want to used Microsoft program to make installation version by
Build/Publish.
I read about name_of_file.vscontent and about anything.vsi ,
but without positive result.

You need to read up on "setup projects." They are very easy to use. It seems
like you're trying to do this in a very manual way. Use a setup project and
Visual Studio will do almost all the work for you.

 

[Stokrotka]

You need to read up on "setup projects." They are very easy to use. It
seems like you're trying to do this in a very manual way. Use a setup
project and Visual Studio will do almost all the work for you.

Yes, I will.

 

[Stokrotka]

You need to read up on "setup projects." They are very easy to use. It
seems like you're trying to do this in a very manual way. Use a setup
project and Visual Studio will do almost all the work for you.

No, in help is written:
"To access the Setup Wizard, on the File menu, point to Add Project, then
click New Project. In the Add New Project dialog box, click the Setup and
Deployment Projects node, and then click Setup Wizard.

Note:
The dialog boxes and menu commands you see might differ from those
described in Help depending on your active settings or edition. To change
your settings, choose Import and Export Settings on the Tools menu. For more
information, see Visual Studio Settings.


"
In my VC2008 is File / Add / New Project and is "Add New Project dialog
box"
but there isn't any "Setup and Deployment Projects ".
I have in this place:
Windows Form Application,
Class library,
WPF Application,
WPF Browser Application,
Console Application.

I looking something similar in "Settings on the Tools menu", but I don't
find anything with "setup".

So I stop reading help and start think.
I go to Project / properties / resources
and add several files, create install program using Build/ publish
add my installation program was big, there was big file nazwa.exe.deploy.
After installation in new place the file nazwa.exe.deploy was too, but I
don't want this file, I want several sources files .

So I go to Project / properties / References / Reference Paths
I add in new window my path, the and of this path was no file, but directory
with all my files, it wasn't possible to add file in this window. I was good
for me, because I have a lot of files.
I install my program and there isn't any differences , I haven't any my
files
in program directory.

 

[Jeff Johnson]

No, in help is written:
"To access the Setup Wizard, on the File menu, point to Add Project, then
click New Project. In the Add New Project dialog box, click the Setup and
Deployment Projects node, and then click Setup Wizard.

Note:
The dialog boxes and menu commands you see might differ from those
described in Help depending on your active settings or edition. To change
your settings, choose Import and Export Settings on the Tools menu. For
more
information, see Visual Studio Settings.


"
In my VC2008 is File / Add / New Project and is "Add New Project dialog
box"
but there isn't any "Setup and Deployment Projects ".

Oh, wait. I seem to recall in the thread over in vb.general.discussion that
the subject of Express came up. Are you using the full, retail Visual Studio
or Express?

 

[Stokrotka]

No, in help is written:

Oh, wait. I seem to recall in the thread over in vb.general.discussion
that the subject of Express came up. Are you using the full, retail Visual
Studio or Express?

Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition.

 

[Jeff Johnson]

Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition.

Then I don't know if Express supports setup projects. I have C# Express set
up on a machine I don't use often, but anything I write with it is for that
machine only, so I've never even tried to package up one of those programs.

There are free installers out there. InnoSetup is one, I believe.

 

[Arne Vajhøj]

Then I don't know if Express supports setup projects. I have C# Express set
up on a machine I don't use often, but anything I write with it is for that
machine only, so I've never even tried to package up one of those programs.

There are free installers out there. InnoSetup is one, I believe.

I can not find setup in Visual C# 2010 Express or Visual Studio 2012
Express Desktop.

SharpDevelop 4.x has setup.

Arne

 

[Stokrotka]

Then I don't know if Express supports setup projects. I have C# Express
set up on a machine I don't use often, but anything I write with it is for
that machine only, so I've never even tried to package up one of those
programs.

There are free installers out there. InnoSetup is one, I believe.

Thank you for help. I think, I zipped program.exe with my files , it is
program for my private www, not commercial, ao it will be enough .