.NET project deployment

What is XCopy?

XCopy command is an advanced version of the copy command used to copy or move the files or directories to another location (including locations across networks). It excludes the hidden and system files.

What is the purpose of a bootstrapper application?

A bootstrapper eases the installation of the various required components for an application. It provides a simple, automated way for detecting, downloading, and installing applications and their required components. It also detects whether a component is supported on an operating system.

What are the deployment features of the .NET Framework?

The following features make the deployment of the application of the .NET framework easier:

• Isolation of applications and elimination of DLL conflicts
• Components of the deployed application are private by default.
• The features also include controlled sharing of the code.
• Side-by-side versioning feature is used when one has to choose between multiple versions.
• XCOPY deployment and replication feature provides self-descriptive applications which can be deployed without the registry entries or dependencies.
• On-the-fly updates feature provisions for the updating of the DLLs of the remote computers.
• The features like advertising, publishing, repairing, and install-on-demand are also available during deployment of an application.
• Enterprise deployment provides ease of software distribution.
• Partially trusted code feature is used by code based identification.

What are Merge module projects?

Merge module projects are used for the packaging of files or components that are shared between multiple applications.

A merge module (.msm) file includes files, resources, registry entries, and setup logic. The .msm file is merged into the deployment projects for consistent installation of a component across multiple applications