Dependencies / More of a legal question

[tylerm]

I recently created a program dependent on the VCToolkit 2003 compiler/optimizer. Of course Microsoft removed the toolkit so people must use 2005.

I was lucky enough to already have the setup file, but I was wondering if it is legal for me to include the setup for the toolkit with the installer of my program. Like video games do with DirectX or VB Runtimes in the past and of course the .net framework now.

I noticed in the redist.txt file in the toolkit: "you may not, however, redistribute the static libraries standalone - on their own."

In what sense could these be viewed? Is "on their own" in the sense the libraries by themeselfs and no the actual entire toolkit or does it mean the entire toolkit cannot be redist.?

[MartinLiss]

I interpret that to mean that you can only use it if you can add it as Reference in your app.

[tylerm]

What exactly do you mean?

Just to give some more info about my program, its an IDE which needs the compiler in the toolkit to compile the final product.

[MartinLiss]

I don't know what programming language you are using but if it's VB6 then there are two kinds of objects that you can include in your progam. One of them is Components like a TreeView or RichTextBox control and the other is References like Microsoft Word Object Library. Your case is probably like the latter and I'm sure you can understand why if you write a program that refers to Word that MS would be very upset if you distributed Word as a stand-alone app.

[tylerm]

Okay, so do you know of anyother choice that could replace the need for the VC++ 2003 compiler?

[MartinLiss]

No, sorry, that's way out of my area of expertise. You might however ask the same question in one of the C tecnical forums.

[ComputerJy]

I guess the "General developer" would be a more appropriate place for such a question, but anyway include any "StandAlone" library, this means you can include project dependencies in the setup so your project can do it's work. Isn't that the purpose of the setup after all

[RobDog888]

Please dont post duplicate threads in separate forums.

Original thread:
http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=429653

Actually it would be best in Application Deployment but since you have another thread with several replies I will have to merge and clean up both threads.

[tylerm]

I guess the "General developer" would be a more appropriate place for such a question, but anyway include any "StandAlone" library, this means you can include project dependencies in the setup so your project can do it's work. Isn't that the purpose of the setup after all

So are you saying it would be legal to include the setup so my program can run?

I emailed the Microsoft MSDN Visual C++ person to see if they can put it back on the downloads or if I can include it with my installer.

It's just funny that they removed a free tool.

Sorry for the duplicate threads.

[ComputerJy]

No, not the entire setup.
But when you are creating your own setup you can include the static .dll files that your project needs to run... That's it, if you include the entire setup file and it's not for free Microsoft has the right to sew you

[tylerm]

Okay thanks. What about since Microsoft freely released the toolkit before and now they just stopped releasing it?
The only reason I encountered this was because they removed it so people must use VS 2005 instead of 2003.

[ComputerJy]

It sounds like you misunderstood the EULA take a look at the first line below the Contents

[tylerm]

Okay I think I get it now. I'll just wait until I hear back from MS. Basically I just need to get permission from them to distribute it or they might put it back up.