[RESOLVED] [2008] GUI To Create New Executable

[cmmorris1]

Hey all,

I know it's possible to do but let me first explain what I'm talking about here.
I have a form that will take input from the user and then depending on their
choices, I want the form to be able to generate a unique .exe file that it will
output.

So for example, let's say I asked the user what is your favorite homepage and the user input http://www.vbforums.com and clicked "generate exe", an executable would be created that when launched would change their homepage to http://www.vbforums.com

This is just an example and not what the application is about but what I need to find out is how to generate a new exe from the choices? It must be advanced stuff since I'm not familiar with it but know it can be done.

Anyone know where to find answers or code to look at?

chris

[.paul.]

search the forum for the CodeDomProvider class

[cmmorris1]

Thanks .paul. I will check that out!

Cheers.

Chris

[cmmorris1]

I didn't find anything in this forum but was able to locate this C# code. How can I use this in VB.net?

public static bool CompileExecutable(String sourceName)
        {
            //Source file that you are compliling 
            FileInfo sourceFile = new FileInfo(sourceName);
 
            //Create a C# code provider 
            CodeDomProvider provider = CodeDomProvider.CreateProvider("CSharp");
 
            //Create a bool variable for to to use after the complie proccess to see if there are any erros
            bool compileOk = false;
 
             //Make a name for the exe
             String exeName = String.Format(@"{0}\{1}.exe",
             System.Environment.CurrentDirectory, sourceFile.Name.Replace(".", "_"));
 
             //Creates a variable, cp, to set the complier parameters
             CompilerParameters cp = new CompilerParameters();
 
             //You can generate a dll or a exe file, in this case we'll make an exe so we set this to true
             cp.GenerateExecutable = true;
 
             //Set the name
             cp.OutputAssembly = exeName;
 
             //Save the exe as a physical file
             cp.GenerateInMemory = false;
 
             //Set the compliere to not treat warranings as erros
             cp.TreatWarningsAsErrors = false;
 
             //Make it compile 
             CompilerResults cr = provider.CompileAssemblyFromFile(cp, sourceName);
 
             //if there are more then 0 erros...
             if (cr.Errors.Count > 0)
             {
                 //A message box shows the erros that occured 
                 MessageBox.Show("Errors building {0} into {1}" +
                     sourceName + cr.PathToAssembly);
 
                 //for each error that occured in the code make a separete message box
                 foreach (CompilerError ce in cr.Errors)
                 {
                     MessageBox.Show("  {0}" + ce.ToString());
                 }
             }
 
             //if there are no erros...
             else
             {
                 //a message box shows compliere results and a success message
                 MessageBox.Show("Source {0} built into {1} successfully." +
                     sourceName + cr.PathToAssembly);
             }
 
             //if there are erros...
             if (cr.Errors.Count > 0)
             {
                 //the bool variable that we made in the beggining is set to flase so the functions returns a false
                 compileOk = false;
             }
 
             //if there are no erros...
             else
             {
                 //we are returning a true (success)
                 compileOk = true;
             }
 
             //return the result
             return compileOk;
        }
 
        //this is the code for the button, but don't have to use a button to do it you can make it on load or w/e
        private void button1_Click_1(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            //create a stream writer and make a .cs file
            TextWriter writer = new StreamWriter(Application.StartupPath + "\\myExe.cs");
 
            //we'll use the WriteLine() function to write all of our code
            writer.WriteLine("using System;");
            writer.WriteLine("using System.Collections.Generic;");
            writer.WriteLine("using System.Text;");
            writer.WriteLine("namespace TestAppi");
            writer.WriteLine("{");
            writer.WriteLine("class Program");
            writer.WriteLine("{");
            writer.WriteLine("static void Main(string[] args)");
            writer.WriteLine("{");
            writer.WriteLine("Console.WriteLine(\"Hello World\");");
            writer.WriteLine("Console.ReadLine();");
            writer.WriteLine("} } }");
 
            //close and save the file 
            writer.Close();
            
            //create a string to the file
            string file = Application.StartupPath + "\\myExe.cs";
 
            //compile it
            CompileExecutable(file);
        }

[masfenix]

You can go line by line and convert it as long as you dont hit unsafe code. Use http://www.developerfusion.com/tools.../vb-to-csharp/ to convert line by line or blocks of code.

It might be even worthwhile to create a c# dll with that function, and just referecne that dll in your code. Import it, create a new class instance, and call that method.

[cmmorris1]

That's a good idea! Gees...thanks masfenix

Worked like a charm!

Chris