How can a C++ windows dll be merged into a C# application exe?

Question

I have a Windows C# program that uses a C++ dll for data i/o. My goal is to deploy the application as a single EXE.

What are the steps to create such an executable?

Answer 1

http://weblogs.asp.net/ralfw/archive/2007/02/04/single-assembly-deployment-of-managed-and-unmanaged-code.aspx

Answer 2

Thinstall is one solution. For a native windows application I would suggest embedding the DLL as a binary resource object, then extracting it at runtime before you need it.

Answer 3

Have you tried ILMerge? http://research.microsoft.com/~mbarnett/ILMerge.aspx

ILMerge is a utility that can be used to merge multiple .NET assemblies into a single assembly. It is freely available for use from the Tools & Utilities page at the Microsoft .NET Framework Developer Center.

If you're building the C++ DLL with the /clr flag (all or partially C++/CLI), then it should work:

ilmerge /out:Composite.exe MyMainApp.exe Utility.dll

It will not work with an ordinary (native) Windows DLL however.

Answer 4

You might ask "Why deploy as a single exe?". If it's because the software needs to have a easy install- consider creating an easy install app that can be packaged as a single exe.

I have built a managed assembly from managed and unmanaged code, but the managed and unmanaged code resided in their own DLLs.

Answer 5

Try boxedapp at this link

It allows to load all DLLs from memory. Also, it seems that you can even embed .net runtime. Good to create a really standalone applications...

Best, Art.

Answer 6

PostBuild from Xenocode can package up both managed and unmanged into a single exe.