Scanning for .NET Dependencies and Properties

Project:This information applies to the following project types:

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Basic MSI

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DIM

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InstallScript

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InstallScript MSI

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InstallScript Object

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Merge Module

InstallShield lets you indicate that a component should be scanned for .NET dependencies and properties at build time. The functionality depends on the project type that you are using.

Windows Installer–Based Projects

In Basic MSI, DIM, InstallScript MSI, and Merge Module projects, you can use the .NET Scan at Build setting to indicate whether you want a component’s key file to be scanned for .NET dependencies and properties at build time.

Note:The build-time scan does not scan the key file of a component if the key file is not a .NET assembly file.

Several options are available from the .NET Scan at Build setting for a component:

Options for the .NET Scan at Build Setting in Windows Installer–Based Projects

Option	Description
None	InstallShield does not scan the key file of this component for .NET dependencies or properties.
Properties Only	At build time, InstallShield scans the key file of this component for .NET properties. InstallShield populates the MsiAssembly and MsiAssemblyName tables with the assembly properties, as needed.
Dependencies and Properties	At build time, InstallShield scans the key file of this component for .NET dependencies and properties. InstallShield populates the MsiAssembly and MsiAssemblyName tables with the assembly properties, as needed. In addition, InstallShield adds the missing files, components, and merge modules that are required by the .NET assembly to the release.

Note:To install an assembly to the Global Assembly Cache, the .NET Scan at Build setting must be set to either Properties Only or Dependencies and Properties.

This setting affects how the Static Scanning Wizard scans the files in your project.

InstallScript-Based Projects

In InstallScript and InstallScript Object projects, you can use the .NET Scan at Build setting to indicate whether you want a component’s files to be scanned for .NET dependencies at build time.

Several options are available from the .NET Scan at Build setting for a component:

Options for the .NET Scan at Build Setting in InstallScript-Based Projects

Option	Description
None	InstallShield does not scan the files of this component for .NET dependencies.
Dependencies	InstallShield scans the files of this component for .NET dependencies. InstallShield adds the missing dependencies to the release.