Run .NET Application From CD

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All of my experience is with ASP.Net. But I'm working on a winforms app
right now and I have a bit of a dilemna with this new project.

I'm converting an old FoxPro database app to a .Net winforms app. The
old application ran entirely from the CD (aside from the database
files). When first loaded, it would ask you where you wanted to save
the database files. Every subsequent run would ask you where the
database files resided. Simple enough. The client said the app was done
this way because many of their clients would not have admin rights on
their machines to install new software. I found this quite ridiculous,
but nonetheless...

My problem, is that the .Net Framework would need to be installed
regardless. (I informed the client of such) So really, users of the
application would definitely need to install it if it didn't already
exist. Also, I want the new app to use the FoxPro OleDB drivers which
would most likely not be installed on the users machine.

If the framework was already installed on the machine, I know I can run
the app from the CD, however, I'm unsure about the Foxpro OleDb driver.
Wouldn't this need to be installed? With most of my experience in
ASP.Net, I've always used DSN-less connections which would require the
library to be installed and registered in the GAC no? If it's possible
to stuff the supporting files into the bin directory, how would I be
establishing the connection in ADO.net?

I think the client is going to be fine with an install, however I'm
exploring all possibilities. I've been able to make them understand
that to use a windows application, the user would need Microsoft
Windows installed...likewise, to use a .Net application, they would
need the .Net framework installed. Is that correct, or can .Net runtime
files accompany the app in the bin directory and be used without an
install?

Thanks,

Jason

.

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