Hi,

I am new to windows development and it may be a trivial question. My problem:

I need to package a couple of Java application (possibly with other IDEs like Netbeans or JDev) and distribute it. Basically, I want a single click install and the applications will unpack in the required directories.

My understanding of MSIs (Microsoft Installers) is that they can be used for .Net apps (Please correct me if I am wrong.)
Suggestions/ideas appreciated.

Thanks,
Abhi

Hi abhi_aksh,

ClickOnce doesn't support application made in Java or other language other than .NET like Robin said. But you can use Setup project.

First, you can create an Setup project in Visual Studio. That solution contains only the setup project, no .NET application project. You can see File System at the left side of the VS main form.

Second, you are going to add files to the "Application Folder" node. Right click the "Application Folder" -> "Add" -> "File...". You can add all the Java application files to the project. And also you can create shortcut for them.

I am not sure whether your Java app will be run by clicking the EXE file. But VS can help to package all these files to the destination folder.

Sincerely,
Kira Qian

---

Please mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark if they don't.

The setup & deployment package is part of Visual Studio and is for .Net applications, as is ClickOnce. You can create install packages with other products like InstallShield and WISE. To find out if they let you package Java applications, you'll have to check their web sites.

RobinDotNet

---

Click here to visit my ClickOnce blog!

The setup & deployment package is part of Visual Studio and is for .Net applications, as is ClickOnce. You can create install packages with other products like InstallShield and WISE. To find out if they let you package Java applications, you'll have to check their web sites.

RobinDotNet

---

Click here to visit my ClickOnce blog!

Hi abhi_aksh,

ClickOnce doesn't support application made in Java or other language other than .NET like Robin said. But you can use Setup project.

First, you can create an Setup project in Visual Studio. That solution contains only the setup project, no .NET application project. You can see File System at the left side of the VS main form.

Second, you are going to add files to the "Application Folder" node. Right click the "Application Folder" -> "Add" -> "File...". You can add all the Java application files to the project. And also you can create shortcut for them.

I am not sure whether your Java app will be run by clicking the EXE file. But VS can help to package all these files to the destination folder.

Sincerely,
Kira Qian

---

Please mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark if they don't.

Hi Kira,

Thanks for the correction. I'm surprised, that's for sure!

Setup & deployment packages are not available in the Express versions of Visual Studio, right? I know it's available in VS Pro, what about VS Standard?

RobinDotNet

---

Click here to visit my ClickOnce blog!

Hi Robin,

You are correct. The express edition doesn't have setup project. Other version such as professional, standard and team system all contain that feature.

Sincerely,
Kira Qian

---

Please mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark if they don't.

You should look into Java WebStart. Support for it is integrated into NetBeans project properties.