Using a Registry Entry to Specify the DebugInfoExeName

When a VSTA add-in is run or debugged from a stand alone or destructive scenario, the life of the host application is tied to the debugging or running session.  In order to start the host application the VSTA add-in must know the location of the exe to run.  This information is specified in the project file, in the element DebugInfoExeName.  This element can accept either a path to the exe, or a registry entry to search for the value.  This can be specified through ProjectGen, changed manually in the project template, or set programmatically by the host.  The ShapeApp SDK samples use a registry entry (see code below) so that the path to the exe can be easily changed without editing individual add-ins or manipulating and re-registering project templates.  This can be very useful for several reasons, including allowing for a more flexible install instead of requiring the host exe to be at a particular path.

<ProjectProperties DebugInfoExeName="#HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ShapeAppCSharp\InstallPath#\ShapeAppCSharp.exe" />

For more information regarding the project templates please see:       
     Creating Project Templates (Visual Studio Tools for Applications)
     Project Template Generation Tool (Projectgen.exe)
     Descriptor Schema for Projectgen.exe
     Creating Project Templates Using the Project Template Generation Tool (Projectgen.exe)