.NET Information center: Visual C++ Application: How to use manifests and re-distributable assemblies?

Q: I have an MFC application that runs on my computer, but when I try to run it on another PC I receive an error message that the application failed to initialize and I should re-install it. What should I do?

A: By default, Visual C++ 2005 builds all native C/C++ applications as isolated applications, i.e. self-describing applications that use manifest files to describe their dependencies to VC++ libraries. The problem occurs because your application doesn't have a manifest, or it has dependencies to assemblies that don't exist on the target PC, or they have a different version number. Basically you have to do two things to solve the problem:

* Distribute a manifest resource file along with your application
* Deploy the re-distributable assemblies that your application depends upon

Q: What is a manifest resource?

A: A manifest resource is an XML file that describes the dependencies of your application. Such dependencies can include the most current version of the Windows common controls, as well as library assemblies, such as MFC, ATL or CRT assemblies.

Your manifest should have the same name as the application and the extension "manifest" and should specify the version number of your assembly (executable or dynamic library), processor architecture, name of the assembly and platform type; a description of your assembly is also recommended.

Code:

<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8' standalone='yes'?>
<assembly xmlns='urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1' manifestVersion='1.0'>
<assemblyIdentity
version="1.0.0.0"
processorArchitecture="X86"
name="CompanyName.ProductName"
type="win32"
/>

<description>Description of your application.</description>
</assembly>

Q: How do I specify dependencies?

A: You have to add a element to the XML-based manifest. For instance, if you want your application to use the Windows common controls with the XP-like style, add a dependency to the assembly called "Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls":

Code:

<description>Description of your application.</description>

</assembly>

Monday, February 22, 2010

Visual C++ Application: How to use manifests and re-distributable assemblies?