CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#.netinstallationdesktop-applicationusb-drive
Anvesh
Anvesh

Reputation: 319

Develop software that doesn't need installation

I am a software developer and currently I am having requirement to develop such data management software for one retailer that doesn't require installation. Means client want software that should be pre installed in pen drive and while my client access that pen drive from any pc then he must be able to access whole software without any kind of cause or installation.

How could I develop such software? Is it possible to develop such software in .net (I am familiar with it)?

Upvotes: 2

Views: 2017

Answers (5)

Tony Hopkinson
Tony Hopkinson

Reputation: 20320

That's not an install.

An install is where you tell the operating system about the software.

.net out of the box is XCopy deploy. ie Build, open File manager click on the exe and it should just work.

So it you copy the build files to a clean machine, pen drive, cd, of just a foklder and it works, then job done.

No permanent registry, no appdata folders, no shortcuts.

Upvotes: 1

squelos
squelos

Reputation: 1189

Of course you can. For instance, if you develop a software that does require installation, and you want to ask a co worker to test the app for you, you could go into your debug folder (or release) and give him the .exe + eventually the DLLs. He will be able to run it without any problem.

Just remember to keep all save files, ressources and dll's in the same folder.

The only thing is, without an installer, you wont have access to all the features an installer has, such as checking for prerequisites, installing prerequisites, inserting keys into the registry etc ... You will have to do without these "integrated" functionnalities

Upvotes: 0

RQDQ
RQDQ

Reputation: 15569

If the machines that you're working with already have the .NET framework installed that you required, then no problem. You can just run the .NET code from your pend drive.

However, if you can't guarantee that the .NET framework is already installed, .NET is not going to work in this scenario. A solution that comes to mind in that scenario is a bare bones Win32 C++ solution.

Upvotes: 9

KingCronus
KingCronus

Reputation: 4519

This is not a problem at all, as long as you don't try to use the registry, or any local folders on the PC without expecting problems.

Upvotes: 2

deltree
deltree

Reputation: 3824

Yes, you just put the exe (and dll) files onto the pen drive. You don't need to build an installer.

Upvotes: 2

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