Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions
Really, I did not try out, starting a managed custom action deferred. It needs the installercontext, of the current install to work, is the context still active at that time? Sorry, I don't know. Any hints welcome. Oliver From: Hao Liu [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Mittwoch, 24. Oktober 2007 04:48 To: Mailinglist; wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: RE: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions I read and tested the Hosting the CLR with a custom action. It is great to bridge between the unmanaged CA and managed CA. However, it cannot work with a deferred CA. Right? Any input will be appreciated. From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mailinglist Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 4:52 AM To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions Hello WiX-users, because we needed to use managed custom actions in our setup, I searched around the net for a real solution to this. I found two projects ([1],[2]), that followed quite good ideas, but both did not work out of the box or only under special circumstances. So I combined them both to something working. Simply, we now use a custom action to start a C++ library, that hosts the CLR, loads a specified assembly and calls a class that needs to implement a small interface. From inside that class the installer context can be used to fill properties, etc. Since the demo code package is 3 MB, I uploaded it to Rapidshare [3] as well as to my blog [4]. Greetings, Oliver Friedrich Consultant - Software Solutions [1] Hosting the CLR within a custom action - Pablo M. Cibaro - http://weblogs.asp.net/cibrax/archive/2005/04/11/399839.aspx [2] Wrapping the Windows Installer 2.0 API - http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/msiinterop.asp [3] Rapidshare Download Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/26953203/ManagedCustomActions.zip.html [4] Blogentry: http://www.forestwalk.de/?p=31 - This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Still grepping through log files to find problems? Stop. Now Search log events and configuration files using AJAX and a browser. Download your FREE copy of Splunk now http://get.splunk.com/___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions
InstallShield setups use it to call Installer classes, and I think Advanced Installer does too because they support dialog boxes with the same set of parameters as Visual Studio. Whether these uses are actually blessed in some way by Microsoft I don't know. Documentation? You mean the error messages aren't completely clear? ;=) Phil Wilson From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John Vottero Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 10:34 AM To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions Have you found documentation for InstallUtilLib.dll? Did Microsoft add it to the list of redistributable software? From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Wilson, Phil Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 12:43 PM To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions Congratulations - you reinvented InstallUtilLib.dll... Phil Wilson From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mailinglist Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 4:52 AM To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions Hello WiX-users, because we needed to use managed custom actions in our setup, I searched around the net for a real solution to this. I found two projects ([1],[2]), that followed quite good ideas, but both did not work out of the box or only under special circumstances. So I combined them both to something working. Simply, we now use a custom action to start a C++ library, that hosts the CLR, loads a specified assembly and calls a class that needs to implement a small interface. From inside that class the installer context can be used to fill properties, etc. Since the demo code package is 3 MB, I uploaded it to Rapidshare [3] as well as to my blog [4]. Greetings, Oliver Friedrich Consultant - Software Solutions [1] Hosting the CLR within a custom action - Pablo M. Cibaro - http://weblogs.asp.net/cibrax/archive/2005/04/11/399839.aspx [2] Wrapping the Windows Installer 2.0 API - http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/msiinterop.asp [3] Rapidshare Download Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/26953203/ManagedCustomActions.zip.html [4] Blogentry: http://www.forestwalk.de/?p=31 - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions
On 4/20/07, Mailinglist [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello WiX-users, because we needed to use managed custom actions in our setup, I searched around the net for a real solution to this. I found two projects ([1],[2]), that followed quite good ideas, but both did not work out of the box or only under special circumstances. So I combined them both to something working. Simply, we now use a custom action to start a C++ library, that hosts the CLR, loads a specified assembly and calls a class that needs to implement a small interface. From inside that class the installer context can be used to fill properties, etc. Since the demo code package is 3 MB, I uploaded it to Rapidshare [3] as well as to my blog [4]. Greetings, Oliver Friedrich Consultant - Software Solutions [1] Hosting the CLR within a custom action – Pablo M. Cibaro - http://weblogs.asp.net/cibrax/archive/2005/04/11/399839.aspx [2] Wrapping the Windows Installer 2.0 API - http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/msiinterop.asp [3] Rapidshare Download Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/26953203/ManagedCustomActions.zip.html [4] Blogentry: http://www.forestwalk.de/?p=31 How does this work around the technical reason for managed custom actions not working that Rob Mensching blogged about recently? http://robmensching.com/blog/archive/2007/04/19/Managed-Code-CustomActions-no-support-on-the-way-and-heres.aspx /Johan - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/ ___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions
Hi Johan, How does this work around the technical reason for managed custom actions not working that Rob Mensching blogged about recently? Well, it works, though we have not testet calling managed custom actions for different framework versions. We roll out our software, entirely written for .NET 2.0 as well as the custom actions are. Greetings Oliver Friedrich Consultant - Software Solutions - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/ ___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions
Congratulations - you reinvented InstallUtilLib.dll... Phil Wilson From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mailinglist Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 4:52 AM To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions Hello WiX-users, because we needed to use managed custom actions in our setup, I searched around the net for a real solution to this. I found two projects ([1],[2]), that followed quite good ideas, but both did not work out of the box or only under special circumstances. So I combined them both to something working. Simply, we now use a custom action to start a C++ library, that hosts the CLR, loads a specified assembly and calls a class that needs to implement a small interface. From inside that class the installer context can be used to fill properties, etc. Since the demo code package is 3 MB, I uploaded it to Rapidshare [3] as well as to my blog [4]. Greetings, Oliver Friedrich Consultant - Software Solutions [1] Hosting the CLR within a custom action - Pablo M. Cibaro - http://weblogs.asp.net/cibrax/archive/2005/04/11/399839.aspx [2] Wrapping the Windows Installer 2.0 API - http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/msiinterop.asp [3] Rapidshare Download Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/26953203/ManagedCustomActions.zip.html [4] Blogentry: http://www.forestwalk.de/?p=31 - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions
Have you found documentation for InstallUtilLib.dll? Did Microsoft add it to the list of redistributable software? From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Wilson, Phil Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 12:43 PM To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions Congratulations - you reinvented InstallUtilLib.dll... Phil Wilson From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mailinglist Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 4:52 AM To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions Hello WiX-users, because we needed to use managed custom actions in our setup, I searched around the net for a real solution to this. I found two projects ([1],[2]), that followed quite good ideas, but both did not work out of the box or only under special circumstances. So I combined them both to something working. Simply, we now use a custom action to start a C++ library, that hosts the CLR, loads a specified assembly and calls a class that needs to implement a small interface. From inside that class the installer context can be used to fill properties, etc. Since the demo code package is 3 MB, I uploaded it to Rapidshare [3] as well as to my blog [4]. Greetings, Oliver Friedrich Consultant - Software Solutions [1] Hosting the CLR within a custom action - Pablo M. Cibaro - http://weblogs.asp.net/cibrax/archive/2005/04/11/399839.aspx [2] Wrapping the Windows Installer 2.0 API - http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/msiinterop.asp [3] Rapidshare Download Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/26953203/ManagedCustomActions.zip.html [4] Blogentry: http://www.forestwalk.de/?p=31 - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions
I wish you the best of luck. As long as you know that you are doing things that are not supported (and in a way actively discouraged) then may your code work for a very long time. I also hope your install does not create future compatibility problems for the Windows Installer team (from what I've heard they have their hands full enough as it is). -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mailinglist Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 6:06 AM To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions Hi Johan, How does this work around the technical reason for managed custom actions not working that Rob Mensching blogged about recently? Well, it works, though we have not testet calling managed custom actions for different framework versions. We roll out our software, entirely written for .NET 2.0 as well as the custom actions are. Greetings Oliver Friedrich Consultant - Software Solutions - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/ ___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/ ___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions
Rob, have you taken a look at the method that Christopher Painter alluded to in his comment on your blog post regarding Managed CA's? He seems to have built something that implements a helper process to load the CLR and communicates with the installer via IPC. This seems to be more of the architecture that you suggested would like be the way to do this if you were going to do this. I also commented on your blog (and many others did as well) that the strategy as expressed to you by the architects you spoke to doesn't seem to hold water for many of us now. I think we all understand that CAs are hard to get right and create instability, so they are best avoided. Unfortunately, they happen to be unavoidable in many cases. Telling us that a future version of Windows and the installer may make it such that we won't need as many CAs is nice, but it doesn't help anyone get any work done now. Some part of you must agree with that assessment, as you spend a lot of your time developing CAs to address these gaps now. I'm sure you've also realized by now that WiX is never going to create a big enough CA library to take care of everyone's needs (although please don't stop trying on my account--I'm happy to use yours whenever I can!). Why not a managed code IPC invoker CA for WiX? Perhaps Christopher would even contribute? It can't be much dirtier than the silent execution CA and offers the advantage of richer integration with the installer. Joe K. - Original Message - From: Rob Mensching [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mailinglist [EMAIL PROTECTED]; wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 12:42 PM Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions I wish you the best of luck. As long as you know that you are doing things that are not supported (and in a way actively discouraged) then may your code work for a very long time. I also hope your install does not create future compatibility problems for the Windows Installer team (from what I've heard they have their hands full enough as it is). -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mailinglist Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 6:06 AM To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions Hi Johan, How does this work around the technical reason for managed custom actions not working that Rob Mensching blogged about recently? Well, it works, though we have not testet calling managed custom actions for different framework versions. We roll out our software, entirely written for .NET 2.0 as well as the custom actions are. Greetings Oliver Friedrich Consultant - Software Solutions - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/ ___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/ ___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/ ___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
Re: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions
Funnily enough, Rob posted a blog entry yesterday on why there are no plans to add Managed Custom Action support to WiX any time soon. See http://robmensching.com/blog/archive/2007/04/19/Managed-Code-CustomActions-n o-support-on-the-way-and-heres.aspx. -- Mike Dimmick _ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mailinglist Sent: 20 April 2007 12:52 To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: [WiX-users] Using .NET 2.0 Managed Custom Actions Hello WiX-users, because we needed to use managed custom actions in our setup, I searched around the net for a real solution to this. I found two projects ([1],[2]), that followed quite good ideas, but both did not work out of the box or only under special circumstances. So I combined them both to something working. Simply, we now use a custom action to start a C++ library, that hosts the CLR, loads a specified assembly and calls a class that needs to implement a small interface. From inside that class the installer context can be used to fill properties, etc. Since the demo code package is 3 MB, I uploaded it to Rapidshare [3] as well as to my blog [4]. Greetings, Oliver Friedrich Consultant - Software Solutions [1] Hosting the CLR within a custom action - Pablo M. Cibaro - http://weblogs.asp.net/cibrax/archive/2005/04/11/399839.aspx [2] Wrapping the Windows Installer 2.0 API - http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/msiinterop.asp [3] Rapidshare Download Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/26953203/ManagedCustomActions.zip.html [4] Blogentry: http://www.forestwalk.de/?p=31 - This SF.net email is sponsored by DB2 Express Download DB2 Express C - the FREE version of DB2 express and take control of your XML. No limits. Just data. Click to get it now. http://sourceforge.net/powerbar/db2/___ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
