Testing add-ins

During development, add-ins can be debugged and tested by using a copy of the application installed with the ArcGIS Runtime SDK for WPF. A startup parameter is used to load an add-in assembly into the application directly from the build location, instead of uploading it to ArcGIS Online or Portal for ArcGIS.

Caution:

Ensure your ArcGIS Runtime SDK for WPF installation is up to date. Users installing the application directly from ArcGIS Runtime SDK for WPF may receive updates to the application when the application is started.

See the Installation and setup topic for more information.

Add-in project debug properties

Add-in projects created with the Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS project templates have the following project properties set for debugging:

• Start Action:

  Start external program option

  External program path: <WpfSdkPath>\SDK\OperationsDashboard\OperationsDashboard.exe

• Start Options:

  Command line arguments: /addinpath:"<path to your add-in folder>"

When the project is debugged, the OperationsDashboard application executable is loaded. The application will then check the path specified in the /addinpath parameter for assemblies containing add-ins, and attempt to load any such assemblies.

Tip:

Once set, the debug properties are not updated. If the location of the project changes, update this parameter manually. A simple way to do this is open the moved project, click Project Properties > Build > Output Path > Browse, copy the path from the dialog box and use this to replace the path in the command line parameter.

Preparing an add-in for deployment

Add-in projects created with the Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS project templates include an MSBuild task that creates an opdashboardAddin file. This file is a zip archive containing the add-in assembly and any references with the the Copy Local property set to True. Successful creation of this file is reported in Visual Studio's Output window when the project is built with the message 'addin package generation succeeded'.

This file can be uploaded to ArcGIS Online or Portal for ArcGIS to be deployed to other users.

Caution:

In order to correctly deploy an add-in to other users, it must first be uploaded, then included in an operation view by using Manage Add-Ins. By using the downloaded add-in, the unique number identifying the item in ArcGIS Online or Portal for ArcGIS is included in the operation view. Do not share operation views saved using the Debug settings above.

See the Overview of deploying add-ins topic for more information.

If other files are required by the add-in, they may be manually added to this archive before uploading it.