Standalone .exe packager

[PGilbert]

Dyalog is offering to 'package' in one .exe file the runtime interpreter and a Workspace in the File->Export menu to create a Standalone Executable. However when using .Net we need to have a manifest, the dll bridge to .Net, and sometimes some 3rd party dll's. I have tried to find a program that will 'package' with more flexibility to include all the files in the directory of the WS for example and found only this one http://code.google.com/p/exe-packager/ that my antivirus program is telling me that it is bugged.

Does anyone have found a good program to create a Standalone Executable ? Is Dyalog as some interest in including another choice in their menu to include the choice of packaging all the files in the directory of the WS and its subdirectory when creating the standalone executable ?

Thanks in advance,

Pierre Gilbert

[MikeHughes]

Hi Pierre,

I currently use Nulsoft's NSIS exe packager see - http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Developer_Center but I am finding this doesnt cater for .Net and GAC stuff so I am starting to move to another free packager called INNO. See - http://www.jrsoftware.org/ or for the IDE site http://www.innoide.org/

This caters for GAC installs as well as other things. It sems more complete and modern.
I have a test example somewhere which I could dig out if it is of use.

I have to stress I know more about the NSIS version but I am trying to learn the second one but you may get there faster than me :-)

[PGilbert]

Thanks Mike but your suggestions are for an 'installation' program but I am looking for a 'packaging' program. I have found that there is a packaging program provided by Microsoft called: 'IExpress' that you can reach by doing: Start->Run->IExpress. There is also this one here. I will experiment and report back later here.

[PhilGray]

I have used "AWInstall" for Dyalog Installs with full success , although I haven't included .Net in any "Install" as yet ( ... I haven't used ".Net" much so far ).

http://www.awinstall.com/moreinfo.html?discount=program

Customize and extend your setups using your favorite language

Built-in automation model for extending your setups with scripts (VBScript and JScript)
Create .NET Custom Actions (Installer classes) and Win32 Custom Action DLLs
Use Built-in and editable installer variables with 'special folders' auto-detection

Maybe worth a try ?

[PGilbert]

Thanks Phil but I am not looking at an installation program, but rather at a program that will package all the needed dlls, pictures, etc. and make one big .exe file that when you click on it the program will start to execute. It's like the 'Creating Executables' at page 38 of the Dyalog User Guide but instead of having only the interpreter and the workspace I would like to bind also some 3rd party dlls, some pictures, etc. Currently we can package only a WS with the interpreter and this is what I am trying to improve. So far I have found this MoleBox program that seems to do what I want.

Pierre Gilbert