How to automatically install MySQL dot net connector while installing the Windows Form application

Question

I am quite new to C# .net windows form application. I am building a Windows Form application and using MySql with it as a back end.

Now the problem is when I build

Answer 1

From MySQL manual:

You may also use the /quiet or /q command-line option with the msiexec tool to install the Connector/Net package automatically (using the default options) with no notification to the user. Using this method the user cannot select options. Additionally, no prompts, messages or dialog boxes will be displayed.

C:\> msiexec /package connector-net.msi /quiet

To provide a progress bar to the user during automatic installation, use the /passive option.

Answer 2

In .NET, unless you are trying to install the assemblies into the GAC, they get deployed with the application. Do not place anything into the GAC unless you have to as it opens up a whole host of challenges and makes managing the app more difficult.

I suggest including the MySQL connector assemblies with the application and include them in your MSI package. There are two parts to this - in the Deployment project, be sure the MySQL Libraries are referenced explicitly. Also, in your application project, set the Copy Local property of the reference to True. With these two steps, the MySQL Connector will be installed with the application. Don't worry too much about disk size - if memory serves, the MySQL Connectors are really small.