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Preparing your Complete Software for Distribution The final step your VB course (yeah...you've made it to your final lesson!) is to create a Setup program for your application so that you can make it available to the public. Firstly, though, you'll need to create an EXE of your project. To do this, go to File, Make EXE. This compiles your project into a single file. Nevertheless, creating a Setup program is essential because along with your EXE you'll need to distribute certain VB run-time files that should be installed on the user's PC. It's all a simple process. If you're used to Office's wizards then this will be a breeze. The Setup program is created with the Package and Deployment Wizard. You'll need to add the wizard by going to Add-Ins, then Add-In Manager. Select Package and Deployment Wizard and click on Loaded/Unloaded at the bottom. Finally click on OK. No go to Add-Ins, Package and Deployment Wizard. A new window will appear. Click on the Package button. You might be asked to compile your current project so click on Compile. It may also ask you to Save you current project. Click on Next three times (if you are asked whether you want to create the Package folder, click on Yes). You will have the option to either create on CAB file (the file that will contain your installation files), or multiple 1.44MB files. The latter might me useful to some who want to distribute their file on floppy. Click Next. Choose an Installation Title and click Next. Organize the way you want your files to appear in the Start Menu. Click Next three times and finally click on Finish. When the wizard completes creating your Setup file, you'll get a report of what was done. Close it or Save it and then exit VB. Go to the folder where you saved your VB project and you'll find a new folder inside it called Package. Here, you'll find four files: Support ProjectName.CAB Setup.exe Setup1.lst You'll only need the last three files so copy them somewhere else and ZIP them up (if you want to) with any ZIP program. The user needs to click on Setup.exe to run the setup program and install your application. Congratulations, you've completed the Visual Basic Course! |