Creating and installing a service?
jodleren
I am trying to create a service, but I have some problems. Seaching
the net is not easy, as the words are so common :)
Therefore:
1) I have a project file and my Class(TService). Do I need more?
2) I asume that a settings window is just a form, which I can make
popup, but how?
I do not want to have it in the tray, as that could result in too many
icons there?
3) how do I install it from Delphi?
4) how do I install on the clients computer?
WBR
Sonnich
Maarten Wiltink
news:d74c4f78-6332-43e6...@d5g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
> I am trying to create a service, but I have some problems. Seaching
> the net is not easy, as the words are so common :)
> Therefore:
>
> 1) I have a project file and my Class(TService). Do I need more?
You probably need to instantiate it somewhere. Doesn't the help file
say? I think my service used a datamodule with some component on it,
but I don't remember exactly. I can look it up later.
> 2) I asume that a settings window is just a form, which I can make
> popup, but how?
You don't.
A service should be considered disconnected from anything desktop-
related, since it will be running when nobody is logged on, or when
a dozen users are. Write a separate program that communicates with
the service through named pipes or TCP sockets or something. Yes,
your service probably needs to grow a new interface for that.
> I do not want to have it in the tray, as that could result in too
> many icons there?
"...disconnected from anything desktop-related..."
You can have a normal program that 'minimises to the tray', but it
will be a separate program. It can be the same program as the
configurator client above.
> 3) how do I install it from Delphi?
I think I used the instsrv program from the NT Resource Kit.
Something that bit me: the service executable must be present on a
local drive or the service won't run. I tried to run it from my
home directory on a mapped network drive at first. That doesn't work.
> 4) how do I install on the clients computer?
I imagine a good installer-generator will support that.
Groetjes,
Maarten Wiltink
Philip
when you'll hear jodleren say:
Never tried it myself, but:
http://www.tolderlund.eu/delphi/service/service.htm
--
Bye,
Philip
Rob Kennedy
> 3) how do I install it from Delphi?
You don't. Your service installs itself. You could add the "/install"
switch to the program's parameters in the run-configuration dialog. (I
don't remember the name of the menu item, but it's on the Project menu.)
> 4) how do I install on the clients computer?
Have your installer program run the service with the "/install"
command-line switch.
Check out the code for TServiceApplication.Run,
TServiceApplication.RegisterServices, and your service's OnBeforeInstall
and OnAfterInstall events.
--
Rob
jodleren
Thanks to all for the help. It works, thoug a few questiosn for the
specialist:
1) I have an option, so the service can stop itself. But, Terminate
does not work in a service as in a thread.
As of now I have my own check for that, but is that a proper solution?
while not terminated and bMyRun do....
2) Also, how can I set my service to run (start) automatically?
I admit, I havent read it all, as this should be done i a hurry.
Basically I am already late :)
WBR & thanks
Sonnich
Maarten Wiltink
[...]
> 1) I have an option, so the service can stop itself. But, Terminate
> does not work in a service as in a thread.
> As of now I have my own check for that, but is that a proper solution?
> while not terminated and bMyRun do....
My service doesn't even have such a main loop. It listens on one or
two ports through components that are on a datamodule. When the
service controller wants to close it, it does - but I have no idea
what exactly happens.
2) Also, how can I set my service to run (start) automatically?
My Computer, Manage, Services and Applications, Services,
<Your service>, Properties, Startup Type, Automatic. (Windows 2000.)
Or you set the StartType of your TService descendent to stAuto in
the Object Inspector and it will probably use that when installing
itself.
> I admit, I havent read it all, as this should be done i a hurry.
> Basically I am already late :)
False economy. Now you're wasting our time _and_ yours. Read up on
all methods, properties, and events of TService. Should take less
than two hours, will probably save you those two hours within a day.
Groetjes,
Maarten Wiltink