How to create one executable file in Visual Studio 2008?

Question

I created a Windows Forms application in Visual Studio 2008, .NET 3.5. Now I want to complete my project, i.e. Create one .exe file that I can give him, and he can run it on his computer.

In my project files, I found the bin / Debug directory where I see the .exe file. Can I use this file as is, or am I missing some important completion procedure?

Thanks!

Answer 1

You can just take the exe if it has no dependencies. If it has any DLL files, you need to include them (or use the ILMerge command-line utility to combine them). However, you can ignore any generated pdb or xml files.

As an additional note, you should compile in the release if you plan to deploy your project (the output will be in bin/Release )

Answer 2

You did not understand in your question. If your solution output is just one exe file, then yes, you can give the exe file to bin \ debug.

But instead of bin \ debug \ exe, you should distribute bin \ Release \ exe, which is for the purpose of release.

Answer 3

To facilitate the use of ILMerge, use the GUI tool from codeplex at http://ilmergegui.codeplex.com/

If this is a commercial application, several commercial obfuscators allow you to create one exe.