27
May
May
I want to package a standalone EXE in VB6, but I’ve controls added to it. My personal has the controls (OCX/DLL) registered, but many don’t, and it errors out. Is there any way to include these OCX/DLL files with the EXE itself, rather than creating an installer?
I'm aware of 3rd party solutions like Thinstall, but I'd prefer not to use them, as I'm designing freeware, and would prefer not spend that much money.
Answer:
Can't be done in VB - it has to be installed. You'll have to choose another language, and not a Microsoft implementation. (Their philosophy is that anything you write should be installed.) GCC can create stand-alones, but you’ve to do a lot more work. I've never used it, but I comprehend that Real Basic (it's not free) can do it also, and there's not too much work in converting MS VB code and forms. (”Not too much” is relative to the person making the statement, of course. Your “not too much work” might be my “beyond my ability”.)
BTW, a good installer (try Inno Setup - http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php ) will register the controls during the installation - unless, of course, you use third-party controls that you don't pay for, in which case you just don't do that 
Inno can be told - in the script - which files to register. (And it's free.)
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