Setup App.Config As Custom Action in Setup Project - deployment

Question

I have a custom application with a simple app.config specifying SQL Server name and Database, I want to prompt the user on application install for application configuration items and then update the app.config file.
I admit I'm totally new to setup projects and am looking for some guidance.
Thank You
Mark Koops

Answer 1

I had problems with the code Gulzar linked to on a 64 bit machine. I found the link below to be a simple solution to getting values from the config ui into the app.config.
http://raquila.com/software/configure-app-config-application-settings-during-msi-install/

Answer 2

check this out - Installer with a custom action for changing settings

Answer 3

App.Config CAN be changed...however it exists in a location akin to HKEY___LOCAL_MACHINE i.e. the average user has read-only access.
So you will need to change it as an administrator - best time would be during installation, where you're (supposed to be) installing with enhanced permissions.
So create an Installer class, use a Custom Action in the setup project to pass in the user's choices (e.g. "/svr=[SERVER] /db=[DB] /uilevel=[UILEVEL]") and, in the AfterInstall event, change the App.Config file using something like:
Public Shared Property AppConfigSetting(ByVal SettingName As String) As Object
Get
Return My.Settings.PropertyValues(SettingName)
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Object)
Dim AppConfigFilename As String = String.Concat(System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly.Location, ".config")
If (My.Computer.FileSystem.FileExists(AppConfigFilename)) Then
Dim AppSettingXPath As String = String.Concat("/configuration/applicationSettings/", My.Application.Info.AssemblyName, ".My.MySettings/setting[#name='", SettingName, "']/value")
Dim AppConfigXML As New System.Xml.XmlDataDocument
With AppConfigXML
.Load(AppConfigFilename)
Dim DataNode As System.Xml.XmlNode = .SelectSingleNode(AppSettingXPath)
If (DataNode Is Nothing) Then
Throw New Xml.XmlException(String.Format("Application setting not found ({0})!", AppSettingXPath))
Else
DataNode.InnerText = value.ToString
End If
.Save(AppConfigFilename)
End With
Else
Throw New IO.FileNotFoundException("App.Config file not found!", AppConfigFilename)
End If
End Set
End Property

Answer 4

Create custom dialogs for use in your Visual Studio Setup projects:
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/18834/Create-custom-dialogs-for-use-in-your-Visual-Studi