Registering COM referenced DLLs on a build server

Question

We\'re developing a C# application that references a few COM libraries (AutoIT for example).

I am including all referenced components under source control, in a 3rd

Answer 1

You don't register COM servers on a build server. That's only required when you actually want to run the compiled code. What you need is the type libraries for the COM servers so you can get the interop assemblies. Which you create with Tlbimp.exe.

Whether you want to run Tlbimp on the build server or up front on a dev machine depends a great deal on how you deploy these COM servers. Keeping a copy of the COM executables and .tlb files very close to your interop libraries is a good idea. In other words, check them in. The installer can now retrieve a known-good version of the COM server as well.