What about duplicating the files? I know that sounds a bit crazy but if you're okay taking a bit more size on disk when installed, the WiX toolset's smartcabbing will only carry the files once in the package.
On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 3:47 PM, McKinnon, Chris <cmckin...@atb.com> wrote: > Hi, > > I'm updating my install process and I'd like to hear suggestions on > improving my install process. > > My apps normally consist of a web site and a windows service. The apps > and installers are for "in-house" use only. In the past, I've modified the > install UI to allow to separate install locations for the web site and > windows service. I think I did it this way because that's how we used to > manually install apps. > > Now, I'm re-visiting this decision and I'd like to fix two install related > "issues": > 1. Have one install location for the application. > 2. Move common files to a "Common" location. > > Addressing #1 is fairly simple. Use one install location and use > subfolders for the different components: > > [Install Directory] > [bin] <-- application DLLs > [Web Site] <-- Web Site files > [Windows Service] <-- Windows Service files > > Both the Web Site's and Windows Service's DLLs are in the "bin" folder. > This introduces a new problem: How do the .NET apps find the DLLs? I > used SysInternals "junction.exe" to create a junction to the bin folder in > both the "Web Site" and "Windows Services" folders. In the config files of > both apps, I use a "runtime->probing" specification to tell the apps to > look for the DLLs in a "bin" subfolder. So, I end up with: > > [Install Directory] > [bin] <-- application DLLs > [Web Site] <-- Web Site files > [bin] <-- Junction pointing back to top level "bin" folder > [Windows Service] <-- Windows Service files > [bin] <-- Junction pointing back to top level "bin" folder > > This seems to work nicely. I'm not particularly fond of calling > "junction.exe" at the end of my install but it works. I'd rather have a > DLL call. Since the DLL could be included as a binary. I've been > searching around for common solutions to this install problem but I haven't > seen it addressed. > > I'm wondering if there is a better solution? I looked at using "codebase" > but didn't like having to specify specific DLL information. And I think it > would be inappropriate to use the GAC as the DLLs are for a specific app > (rather than DLLs that could be used by any app). > > Thanks, > > Chris McKinnon > > > The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and may contain > privileged information. It is intended only for the person or persons named > above. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail please be > advised that any distribution or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If > you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us by return e-mail > and delete all copies of the e-mail and any attachments. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Keep Your Developer Skills Current with LearnDevNow! > The most comprehensive online learning library for Microsoft developers > is just $99.99! Visual Studio, SharePoint, SQL - plus HTML5, CSS3, MVC3, > Metro Style Apps, more. Free future releases when you subscribe now! > http://p.sf.net/sfu/learndevnow-d2d > _______________________________________________ > WiX-users mailing list > WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users > -- virtually, Rob Mensching - http://RobMensching.com LLC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Keep Your Developer Skills Current with LearnDevNow! The most comprehensive online learning library for Microsoft developers is just $99.99! Visual Studio, SharePoint, SQL - plus HTML5, CSS3, MVC3, Metro Style Apps, more. Free future releases when you subscribe now! http://p.sf.net/sfu/learndevnow-d2d _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
