Install and register the SDK

ArcGIS Engine is a software development kit (SDK) and a runtime platform for building and deploying custom geographic information solutions. The SDK contains all the components and resources required for developing custom, standalone desktop GIS and mapping applications that are then deployed on the ArcGIS Engine Runtime platform.
ArcGIS Engine includes the following CDs:
  • ArcObjects Software Development Kit (SDK) for the Microsoft .NET Framework: SDK for the .NET API, along with developer resources and tools that are integrated within Visual Studio. It also includes documentation and samples for VC++ developers. 
  • ArcObjects SDK for the Java Platform: Documentation and samples for working with the Java API, along with supporting developer resources. There are separate CDs for Windows, Red Hat and SUSE Linux, and Sun Solaris.
  • ArcObjects SDK for Cross-platform C++: Documentation and samples for working with the cross-platform C++ API, along with supporting developer resources. There are separate CDs for Windows, Red Hat and SUSE Linux, and Sun Solaris.
  • ArcGIS Engine Runtime: Redistributable version of ArcObjects needed to run applications developed with any of the ArcObjects SDKs. There are separate CDs for Windows, Red Hat and SUSE Linux, and Sun Solaris.
Your yearly subscription to the ESRI Developer Network ships with registration numbers for building custom solutions with the ArcObjects SDKs and one copy of the ArcGIS Engine Runtime (including extensions) for testing purposes. You should receive a registration numbers with the product packaging or via e-mail for the following:
  • ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit (includes the design-time ArcGIS Engine and all extensions)
  • ArcGIS Engine Runtime for testing
  • ArcGIS Engine Runtime Geodatabase Update extension for testing
  • ArcGIS Engine Runtime 3D extension for testing
  • ArcGIS Engine Runtime Spatial extension for testing
  • ArcGIS Engine Runtime Network extension for testing
  • ArcGIS Engine Runtime Data Interoperability extension for testing
  • ArcGIS Engine Runtime Maplex extension for testing
  • ArcGIS Engine Runtime Schematics extension for testing
  • ArcGIS Engine Runtime Tracking extension for testing

In this topic

Installation of ArcObjects Developer Kit

The ArcGIS Engine Runtime is a prerequisite for the ArcObjects SDKs if you are developing ArcGIS Engine applications. Install this CD first. For more details on installing the ArcGIS Engine Runtime see the Installation of ArcGIS Engine Runtime topic.
Since ArcGIS Desktop is a superset of the ArcObjects components included in ArcGIS Engine Runtime, it can also be used to meet the prerequisite requirement for the ArcObjects SDKs.
To install any of the ArcObjects SDKs, insert the appropriate CD into the CD drive to automatically start the setup program and follow the setup instructions. The installation directory created when you installed the prerequisite ArcGIS Engine Runtime or ArcGIS Desktop software will be used.
The available features depend on the SDK you are installing.
  • Documentation: Object Model Diagrams, API reference, and other help topics.
  • Samples: Code projects that demonstrate common uses and best practices.
  • Tools: Executables that facilitate ArcObjects development.
  • ArcGIS Visual Studio 2008 Integration Framework: Wizards, templates, and code snippets that integrate into Visual Studio 2008 to aid you in coding against ArcObjects. Available for use by C# and VB.NET developers in the .NET SDK only.
At the end of the installation of the ArcObjects SDK, the Software Authorization wizard appears, enabling you to either:
  • Register the software with ESRI using the ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit registration code included in your EDN package; this results in you receiving an ESRI Client Provisioning File (.prvc) file.
  • Finish the registration process by authorizing the software with the .prvc file to unlock the underlying software components for development use.

Registration of ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit

The ArcObjects SDK and the ArcGIS Engine Runtime need to be registered with ESRI and authorized for use on a per-machine, single-use basis via a .prvc file to unlock the underlying software components for use. This registration is a two-step process:

Copy protection for ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit

To receive an ESRI Client Provisioning file for the ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit, the registration code supplied with your EDN package must be registered with ESRI.
The registration codes supplied with the EDN package for ArcGIS Engine Runtime testing can be registered at the same time the ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit is registered.
The products can be registered either during installation or after installation via:
  • The ESRI Customer Service Web site at http://service.esri.com.
  • The Software Authorization wizard at <cd>:\Program Files\Common Files\ArcGIS\bin\SoftwareAuthorization.exe.


Software authorization for ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit

To complete the registration process the ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit must be authorized with the .prvc file to unlock the underlying software components for development use. The product can be authorized by:
  • Using the Software Authorization Wizard found in <cd>:\Program Files\Common Files\ArcGIS\bin\SoftwareAuthorization.exe to navigate to the .prvc file.
  • Registering the ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit online at http://service.esri.com gives you the option to dynamically authorize the product over the Internet. In this case, no .prvc file will be sent.


  • The ArcGIS Administrator tool in <cd>:\Program Files\Common Files\ArcGIS\bin\AuthorizationSummary.exe can be used to verify the license configuration of the ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit. All levels of functionality are available for you to develop with including the extension functionality.