VFP Runtime DLL's

[IForgot]

I've been reading through previous postings about the need to distribute and Register VFP Runtime DLL's with the VFP EXE file.

First some background, The MS Visual Studio installed is Visual Studio Professional which included VFP6

I have compiled my VFP6 EXE file as a:
* Win32 Executable/Com Server (EXE)
and when executed, the Build runs fine.

I can even export the EXE file into another non-VFP development Test directory on my own PC where it runs as expected and well.

My question is -- Do I really need to include these files with my distributed EXE file when I send it to a customer?

I have searched my entire system to find these DLL files and they are not installed on my PC anywhere.

So, where do these DLL's come from?
vfp6renu.dll
vfp6r.dll

And lastly -- are there other issues (OS considerations, other file inclusions, etc.) that need to be considered/included when distributing a VFP EXE file onto another PC which has never seen VFP?

Thanks,
I_Forgot

 

[rgbean]

I_Forgot,
First, see

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q190869

- "INFO: Visual FoxPro 6.0 Required Run-Time Files". Remember that these versions are for the original VFP 6.0 - check a system with SP5 for what the "current" versions should be.

As always, it's best not to just copy these files, because some of the non-explict VFP files may actually have newer and/or versions on various OS's. Using the Setup Wizard in VFP 6.0, or Install Shield Express that comes with VFP 7.0 using the VFP 6.0 MSM file is the best way to go unless you really know what you are doing or you use another Windows installer product.

Note: The DLL's you list should be on your system (perhaps with a Hidden or System attribute set so you can't "see" them), unless they are registered on a network drive that's always available. Have you used REGEDIT to check where they are located?

Rick

 

[Mike Gagnon]

IForgot

My question is -- Do I really need to include these files with my distributed EXE file when I send it to a customer?

I would definetly use the Setup Wizard, and "take" all the files that the Wizard "proposes". First of all your computer might have the latest versions (because of VFP beign there,) but what about your client's machine? What about (Just open the distrib.src in VFP):
1. Comctl32.ocx
2. MFC40.dll
3. MSDADC.DLL
4. MSPDOX35.DLL
And on and on
etc..... I would certainly not assume that your application will run perfectly just by having :

vfp6renu.dll
vfp6r.dll


Mike Gagnon

If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ184-2483 first

 

[IForgot]

Thanks for the input.

No, the DLL's are definitely not on the system. I have my Windows Folder Options set to show ALL files (including hidden, system, etc.) so they should show up in the Search.

Another associated question... The application will be installed onto the Server at another site. I assume that these files will need to go onto the Workstation - correct? Will these files need to go onto EACH workstation on the network which intends to run the program?

I have never used the Setup Wizard. In the past I have used a very good third party Installation Setup Generator program and I've gotten used to it. I'll give the Setup Wizard a shot to see how it works.

Thanks,
I_Forgot

 

[IForgot]

Hold the press... I finally DID find the VFP6R.DLL in my own %rootdir%\System32 directory. I don't know what I did wrong before, but now I know were it "lives".

I ran the Setup Wizard and it never asked me where to find the supplementary files. Either it already knew where to find them, or it did not include them since I had not put them into the Source Directory. Any insight here?

Also, the Setup build only gave me 3 disk choices:
3 1/2" Floppy
Web install
Net install
It never gave me a CD install. Am I being obtuse or should I just use one of the other existing choices and copy it onto a CD?

Thanks,
I_Forgot

 

[Mike Gagnon]

IForgot

I ran the Setup Wizard and it never asked me where to find the supplementary files. Either it already knew where to find them, or it did not include them since I had not put them into the Source Directory. Any insight here?

VFP Setup "knows" what files it requires to run a simple application (meaning no Activex, and no third party). If you have activex, in step 2 you have the otion to add them the and a few other things that are not as common.
All the files that are being included in your application are contained in the "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\Vfp98\Distrib.src" directory.

I believe you can create a websetup, it should create one file. Mike Gagnon

If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ184-2483 first

 

[IForgot]

Thanks Mike for the response.

I am still confused. The VFP6R.DLL and Vfp6renu.dll files (and others) which have been mentioned before as NECESSARY does not exist in the "...\Microsoft Visual Studio\Vfp98\Distrib.src" directory.

So, if it is NECESSARY, then how does it get included. My registry shows it defined as being in the %WinRoot%\System32 directory (and it is!).

Assuming that I get the files included, I did not see anywhere in the Setup Wizard where I tell it to put these files into the user's System32 directory.
* Will the Install Setup do that automatically for me?
* And will the Setup Register the files into the User's Registry automatically too?

Also how do I know if I need ActiveX?
I am guessing for this particular, simple application which was migrated (converted???) from FPW into VFP, that nothing exotic will be required.

Thanks,
I_Forgot

 

[Mike Gagnon]

The VFP6R.DLL and Vfp6renu.dll files (and others) which have been mentioned before as NECESSARY does not exist in the "...\Microsoft Visual Studio\Vfp98\Distrib.src"

VFP6R.dll is the main runtime file required to run a VFP application, on my system it is located in windows/system directory.
vfp6enu.ddl is the DLL that controls the language of VFP (and VFP applications), and is also in my windows/system directory.
But I don't the location of these files is important as long as the registry knows where they are located. A lot of programmers put these files in the application directory (and register them), that way any other installations will not change these files.
Assuming that I get the files included, I did not see anywhere in the Setup Wizard where I tell it to put these files into the user's System32 directory.
* Will the Install Setup do that automatically for me?
* And will the Setup Register the files into the User's Registry automatically too?

Yes, if these files are registered on the development box, then setup will find them, incorporate them in the setup, and install and register them on the user's machine.


Also how do I know if I need ActiveX?

If you have used an activex on the application, you would have to tell setup to bring it along with the setup. But Activex are "normally" handle a little differently in the development stage, so you would know you used one (Like a calendar, or a listview etc...). If if the development stage you select a component that was not part of the standard From Control toolbar.

Mike Gagnon

If you want to get the best response to a question, please check out FAQ184-2483 first