Create an Executable Build

An executable build is a standalone version of your test that you run as a program. To be able to run this executable build in a runtime environment, the build must include the Ranorex Studio runtime library, license information, and external files.

Ranorex Studio creates an executable build of your project through several actions:

1. Click RUN to start a test run.
2. Click Build all projects in the solution.
3. Click Build the current project.

The resulting files appear in the project’s output folder (by default bin\Debug). You can change the output folder directory in Settings.

1. Default output folder directory for the executable build of a project.
2. The executable of the test is named after the project. In this case, this is Introduction.
3. Configuration files.
4. Module group and test suite files.
5. Required libraries and the settings of the project.
6. Optional external files that were manually included in the output folder. In this case, the Ranorex Studio Demo Application is the application under test (AUT). Without it, the test does not run correctly. You can include it in the project if it is small enough. However, you should pre-install large AUTs on the specific runtime environment. 

This executable build allows you to run the test on machines that have a full version of Ranorex Studio installed. To execute tests in runtime environments, for example, machines without a Ranorex Studio installation, you need to include the Ranorex Studio runtime library and licensing information.

To execute your test in a runtime environment, you must include the runtime library in the executable build as follows:

1. Open the Settings window in Ranorex Studio.
2. Navigate to the General tab.
3. Check the Copy runtime to output checkbox and click OK.
   

When you next build the project, Ranorex Studio creates a Runtime folder within your output directory containing the runtime library.

Note: You can still execute your test if you don’t include license information, but only as part of the Ranorex Studio trial.

You can embed your license information directly into the build as follows:

1. In Ranorex Studio, open the Settings.
2. Navigate to the General tab.
3. Click the Include license information option and click OK.

When you next build the project, Ranorex Studio includes the license information file in the executable build.

You may need to include additional files, such as the AUT, data files, images, or specific libraries, in your build. For example, to include the Ranorex Studio Demo Application in the executable build, do the following:

1. Copy the RxDemoApp.exe file into your project folder.
   
2. In the projects view, click the Refresh and the Show all files options to display the file.
   
3. Right-click the file and select Include in project.
   
   The icon for the file switches from transparent to fully outlined.
4. Select the file in the Projects view and press F4 to open the file’s properties.
5. Set the Copy to output directory property to Always or PreserveNewest.
   

•  
  • Never: The application does not include the file.
  • Always: The application copies the file each time you create an executable build.
  • PreserveNewest: The application only copies the file if it changed since the last build.