Distributing the BDE with your application

Problem/Question/Abstract:

What are the essential files to ship with an application that uses the BDE?

Answer:

Delphi allows you to generate a nice tight executable file (.EXE), but if you have created a database application you must include the files that make up the Borland Database Engine as well. The table below shows the files that are mandatory when delivering a database application with Delphi.

File Name
Description
IDAPI01.DLL
IDBAT01.DLL
IDQRY01.DLL
IDASCI01.DLL
IDPDX01.DLL
IDDBAS01.DLL
IDR10009.DLL
ILD01.DLL
IDODBC01.DLL
ODBC.New
ODBCINST.NEW
TUTILITY.DLL
BDECFG.EXE
BDECFG.HLP  
IDAPI.CFG
BDE API DLL
BDE Batch Utilities DLL
BDE Query DLL
BDE ASCII Driver DLL
BDE Paradox Driver DLL
BDE dBASE Driver DLL
BDE Resources DLL
Language Driver DLL
BDE ODBC Socket DLL
Microsoft ODBC Driver Manager DLL V2.0
Microsoft ODBC Driver Installation DLL V2.0
BDE Table Repair Utility DLL  
BDE Configuration Utility DLL
BDE Configuration Utility Help
BDE Configuation File (settings)

        
To assist the user, Delphi ships with an install program for exporting the appropriate files that you want deliver to your clients. Also, installation programs such as InnoSetup and InstallShield can automatically include the relevant files in their setup programs.

InnoSetup is my program installation program of choice, and it is FREE! For more information or to download a copy visit Jordan Russell's site at http:// www.jrsoftware.org

Finally a tip on using the setup CAB file that ships with the BDE to install the relevant files can be found in DKB, article title "Installing BDE from BDEINST.CAB"