Create Installer for Source Build Assemblies

[Shaun]

Hi

Regarding 'Redistributing Telerik RadControls for Winforms' discussed here, we are building Telerik assemblies from source code using the OEM conditional symbol approach with our application assembly name specified in OemAssemblyName in RadControl.cs. This is to protect Telerik controls in our distribution. This seems to work fine in that unauthorised applications get the trial version pop-up whereas the authorised one doesn't.

My question: Can you advise the best way (or what needs to be done) to create an 'installer' which can be used to register the source build assemblies for design time use in Visual Studio 2010 (i.e. to create/populate a Visual Studio Toolbox tab and to register assemblies for design-time support)?

The reason: Our solution is structured so that Telerik assemblies are copied to an ExternalDlls folder and projects referencing Tererik point to assemblies in ExternalDlls. If Telerik UI controls are not installed on my development PC then I don't have Visual Studio design capabilities. However, if I install either the full licensed or Trial versions of Telerik controls (NOT the assemblies built from source) then I get all sorts of conflicts because the assemblies in ExternalDlls (built from source) and assemblies from install versions have different public key tokens.

Hope this question makes sense. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Shaun

[Peter]

Hello Shaun,

Thank you for your question.

In order to work with the source code built assemblies at design time, you need to navigate to the DesignerConsts class (Telerik.WinControls > Design > DesignerConsis.cs), comment the line with the "5bb2a467cbec794e" key and uncomment the one with the "bf4391287131aaeb" key. Build the project, locate the Telerik.WinControls.UI.Design.dll and install it in GAC or reference it in your project (your project must reference the newly built Telerik.WinControls.UI.Design.dll). Restart Visual Studio, open the desired form and you should be able to work at design time.

We do not offer a separate installation that registers the controls into Toolbox and you should add manually the controls there. For more information about this, please read this Knowledge Base article - Manually add RadControls for WinForms to the VS Toolbox

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Peter
Telerik

[Shaun]

Hi Peter

That all makes sense and helps a great deal.Can I ask one further question?

Is source code updated and made available for download for service pack releases?

Thanks

Shaun

[Peter]

Hello Shaun,

Yes, it is updated and you can download the source code for each SP release. Should you have any other questions, do not hesitate to ask.

Regards,
Peter
Telerik