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I need some help here. there is this application I want to write in c#. it's like an e-registration software. Many people will be entering data, so I put the database on a local server. Now, I had two options: the first is to write a windows form application in c# that accesses the database on the server. I know how to do this, an the application is simply more of a database application, just registration of user's details. but the problem is that in the case of an update, I would need to update the software on each client system. so it was suggested (the second option) I use a web interface: either php or asp.net, so that both the application logic and database are on the backend. I don't really do web applications, but I think this application should not be hard to do in asp.net. However, I still prefer the windows form application. how to do this is the problem.
I want to use a C# windows form app, residing on the server for easy update and deployment. all that a user needs to do is click a shortcut on his desktop, or probably start a thin app, and the main app will launch on his screen from the server. Pls how do I do that? Thanks for your help in advance.
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Updated 13-Apr-13 5:03am
v2

Take a look at click once[^] for web deployment and auto update of rich client apps.
 
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Member 7677989 16-Apr-13 7:38am    
Thanks. I have been looking into it. One more question: While I will use a file share, I do not want clients to have direct access to the shared folder. Is there any way to put up a small file server such that when the user clicks a link on his desktop, the server serves him the click once exe, without he having access to the folder
jsolutions_uk 16-Apr-13 8:12am    
Usually, the way click once works is that you deploy it to a web site where the clients have access to a holding page for the click once installer. The click once app is installed on the clients PC (along with any dependencies) and can have a link on desktop/start menu etc. Click once can do quite a lot, so I suggest you have a good read of the docs.
A quick and effective solution i would like to tell you that you keep your exe in a shared folder in the server and from client system access the folder and right click on the exe and send shortcut to desktop.

That's it and it will work for sure.

Do let me know if it doesn't work.
 
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Member 7677989 13-Apr-13 12:29pm    
But what of all d libraries and assemblies which will be resident on d server, and may not be on client system. if I have install them on client systems, then I am back to the beginning, because that means each time a library or assembly is updated, I would have to do d update on all client systems
Raj Parashar 13-Apr-13 13:43pm    
as far i know you do not need to update them as i am already using with my client and it's my personal experience. However if you get any problem even i would be interested in knowing that.
Member 7677989 16-Apr-13 7:34am    
Have u tried the click once technology described above?
Raj Parashar 16-Apr-13 10:08am    
It is clearly written overthere "for web deplyment" so i don't know why do you consider that when you are looking for solution of windows setup. Is it known by you that web and windows applications are different?
jsolutions_uk 16-Apr-13 15:14pm    
Click once is really a deployment solution, via a website (usually) and not a web application technology. I have used it for desktop application deployment and it works quite nicely.

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