.NET scanning

[johnludlow]

Hi,
I'm currently evaluating Installshield, comparing it against Wise. I like Installshield better because of Installscript, but I'm worried about its .NET support.

In Wise, if I say the installation contains .NET components, I can add a .NET file and it will automatically detect attributes, dependencies, etc.

I think Installshield does this as well, I'm just not sure how. I added a .NET file, just the same as in Wise, expecting to be asked about the control it depends on, but I wasn't. I checked the help file, and it said "add the file as a component key, and set the .NET Scan At Build property." I checked that the file was a key, and that the property was set, and all seemed ok.

I figured that it might include the required file during the build process, so I built the project, which made no difference - the assembly info had not been added, and the required file had not been included.

What am I doing wrong?

Many thanks

John

[johnludlow]

Actually, after a bit more digging, I should probably say that I don't have Visual Studio installed. Do I need Visual Studio to use Installshield's .NET features?

Thanks

John

[johnludlow]

Ah, I've figured it out.

It's odd. I was expecting the required file to appear in the files list, but it didn't. I even went and looked in the MSI it created, but it wasn't their either. But I decided to give it a go and install it anyway, and it worked.

Just out of interest, how does it know about the file, if it's not in the MSI? And how do I check that it's included all the required files?

Thanks

John

[Art Middlekauff]

The dynamically scanned files are added at build time so that do not appear in your ISM project.

We are planning on making an update so that the output window during the build will list the files that were automatically added.

To see what files will be added, go to the Files and Folders view. Right-click on the file and select "Dependencies from scan at build...". That will show you the dependencies that will be added. You can also use this dialog to select items you don't want to have added automatically.

[johnludlow]

Thanks Art.

That helps a lot. It had me worried for a moment there