Why is it so hard to install myApp + SqlCE + CF?

[Tom Couvret]

I've been going over the groups, and have found lots of questions on
this, and no good solutions yet. I amn hoping that as its a while since
the last post someone has finally got a good solution!

It seems incredible to me that despite MS pushing the use of SQLCE for
app development, there is no turnkey solution or concrete sample for me
to package everything I need to go with my app into a single msi or exe
file.

All solutions suggest how you can go about writing an installer, but why
on earth should every single developer who developes an app that uses
sqlce have to write their own installer.

I've seen the example on how to write an MSI to automate the install of
a single CAB, but I've also seen many other solutions for this so that
is not a problem.

How about a sample app that does all of the above, that works regardless
of the target processor. I would gladly substitute "myAPP" for
"TomsPocketPCApp", "MyPath" for "C:\tom\dev\app" etc in a sample, then
compile and build the app. But to have to work out how to build my own
sql.ini (which doesnt seem to exist anywhere), CF.ini (which also doesnt
seem to exist), how to call various RAPI methods I've seen discussed in
these groups etc, is just plain lousy!

Is sqlce a release version or what?

Someone please tell me I'm stupid and point me to the solution thats
sitting nice and easy to find on Microsoft's web site... PLEASE!

Tom

 

[Y. Sivaram]

Hi Tom,

One option (even though not free) using Installshield Express 5.0. I found
some more options for installers in the following page

http://www.pocketpcmag.com/awards/developer.asp

As far as I know, the SQLCE is a release version.

Best Regards,
Y. Sivaram

 

[Tom Couvret]

Thanks, I'll check out Installshield, though from memory this is a
pretty expensive bit of software when you are planning to sell your apps
for $20 or less! Its not as though I want to do anything out of the
ordinary!

By the way... I know sqlce is release - I was being facetious. You have
to wonder though when the only way they have of reliably installing it
on a mobile device is when installed through the Visual Studio
development environment.

Tom

 

[Tom Couvret]

Ok, so I got the eval for InstallshieldExpress.

Yes it lets me creat my cab file (but so did Visual Studio), and yes it
puts a heap of CF and SQLCE cabs in a directory, one per processor type.

But there appears to be no installer I could distribute with my App so
people can download it on their PC and then have it install the right
bits on their PPC, regardless of processor type.

Am I missing something?

 

[éric]

try e-pocketsetup.com - I think $99
they are cheap and work very well
add sqlce.cab to your device files specify which processor each file is for
go to click-script and on install exit run execute program
%WinDir%\wceload.exe and pass it the file path and name of the sqlce file
you want to install...

it may sound like a few too many steps but you will see this app is very
well made.

Regards,

éric

 

[Guest]

here is what i am using and it is free for unlimited trial and will install your app, sqlce and the framewor

http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/airsetup/?e

 

[Tom Couvret]

here is what i am using and it is free for unlimited trial and will install your app, sqlce and the framework

http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/airsetup/?en

Thanks Ross...

Do you find people are happy to install directly on their PPC/ I thought
most people browse handango etc with their desktop, hence installing
from there is preferable. From my understanding airsetup does not go
through a desktop.

Tom