Creating a release for distribution from wxWidgets project

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vignes_12
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Creating a release for distribution from wxWidgets project

Post by vignes_12 »

I have completed a calculator project using the wxWidgets framework and I'm interested in trying to create a release of it so that the public can easily download it from GitHub, instead of the normal build process which takes well over an hour to do for first-time users. However, I am not sure how to create a download file (such as .exe or similar extension) in order to accomplish this. Can someone help me out with this?

I would be willing to share the GitHub repository if needed as well.
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doublemax
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Re: Creating a release for distribution from wxWidgets project

Post by doublemax »

The executable you get from your build is the main part.

If it requires any external files like bitmap or similar, you need to add those.

If you link dynamically to wxWidgets, you also need to ship the wxWidgets DLLs.

If you link the CRTs dynamically you need to ship those DLL(s), too.

In the easiest form, you could just pack all these files into a ZIP file and the user had to extract it somewhere and can run your application.
Or you could build an installer that copies all the files, optionally creates start menu entries, add an uninstaller etc.

Inno Setup is a popular free option for Windows: https://jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php
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evstevemd
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Re: Creating a release for distribution from wxWidgets project

Post by evstevemd »

I second Inno Setup. Super simple and effective and can do quiet complex stuffs!

For Linux there is Snap which works fine too but am not sure how far it is supported beyond Ubuntu based distros.
Oldie is making Deb and Rpm files. But it is tedious and requires efforts to make working scripts
See https://phoenixnap.com/kb/flatpak-vs-snap-vs-appimage

For MacOs either Package into an Image to drop in Applications or Use AppStore. The latter requires account and some $$. But easiest if you target novices. Else Image should be enough
See: https://www.rambo.codes/posts/2021-01-0 ... -app-store especially this tool
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