Compile & Release

Notice that, this chapter is all about Windows Form Application case.

EPL presents two compiling modes, Unstandalone and Standalone. The standalone mode compile the application that packs all the application dependency inside, the application can run independently without installing any dependency troubles, such as ActiveX control registration, TypeLib registration etc.

Before you compile or release your application, you can configurate some compile-relative settings. Click “Tools” ->“System Settings” menu. See picture below.

Compile Unstandalone Application

The unstandalone mode only compile application source code but without application dependency and internal library. So, if you want to release your application that compile under unstandalone mode, you must take the responsibility to release all the dependency and used internal libraries (*.fne, *.fnr, *.run) as well. The dependency can be all the ActiveX controls, Windows Dlls and others that you have been used in your application. At least, the Kernel library of EPL is required for all applications . When you release your application and let user to use it in the environment without EPL, you must make sure that all the used internal libraries must be existed in your application directory or Windows system directory, and you also should install other dependency as well, such as copy ActiveX control to system directory and make registration for it.

      Notice that, all the internal libraries is stored in “lib” directory of EPL installation path.

The following describes how to compile unstandalone application

1, Click “Compile” -> “Compile” menu, see picture below

2, Input the application file name in the popup dialog, if you haven’t specified an application icon, the icon of the application file showed in desktop will be the default application icon of EPL application for Windows Form Application case. To specify an application icon, just click “File” -> “Application Properties” menu and click “Set Icon” button in the Common tab”.

3, If succeed to compile, the Output status tab will prompt you and list all the dependencies, such as .fnr, .fne, .run, .ocx, .dll etc. All the internal libraries (.fnr, .fne) can be found in “Lib” directory of EPL installation path.

Compile Standalone Application

The standalone mode compiles all application source code and packs all the application-used internal libraries and dependencies, the standalone application can run independently.

The following describes how to compile standalone application

1, Click “Compile” -> “Compile Standalone” menu, see picture below

2, Select all the application required files in the list, and press OK button to confirm. If you unselect any file, you must take responsibility to install the files if you release the application. See picture below

3, Input the application file name in the popup dialog, if you haven’t specified an application icon, the icon of the application file showed in desktop will be the default application icon of EPL application for Windows Form Application case.

Make Installation

EPL provides you a compact & convenient installation maker, use it to build Setup program for your EPL application.

The following describes how to compile & make installation. Notice that, you must save the application before you do this, and before you make installation must there is a current opening application in EPL.

1, Click “Compile” -> “Compile and Make Installation” menu, see picture below

2, Confirm to save application.

3, Add Application Title, Software Introduction and License, click Next button to continue. See picture below

4, Set installation window appearance, click Next button to continue. See picture below

5, select basic file of installation, gray color showed for required file. We strongly recommend you select all files, click Next button to continue. See picture below

6, Add other additional files to different installation path, click Next button to continue. See picture below

7, Set default installation path and other options, click Next button to continue. See picture below

8, Specify file path to save installation program, and choose storage mode. Click OK button.

9, After succeed to make the installation, a message box will popup to prompt.

Application Icon

You can specify icon for your Windows Form Application to show in explorer or desktop.

The following describes how to specify an icon.

1, click “File” -> “Program Properties” menu, see picture below

2, In Program Properties dialog, click “Set Icon” button of common tab. See picture below

3, Select an icon file (*.ico) to set in the popup dialog.

4, After confirm to set a new icon, click OK button.

Notice that, the name of “Property Properties” menu has been changed to “Application Properties” menu.

Notice that, you can also change the Icon property of a form to change its form-displaying icon.