> > http://sourceforge.net/projects/wix/ > > > > Useful opensource project (think some MS people are behind it, but > > don't remember for sure) to make MSI (Windows Installer) files from > > XML descriptions. > > > > Sending in case anyone wants to integrate installer > creation utility > > to Windows version of Lazarus > > What's the advantage of a .msi over a normal setup program?
Although I'm using InnoSetup mostly nowadays and I didn't keep up with the evolution in the installation engines area (was using InstallShield etc. in the past and custom-written Delphi installers or xcopy-style / self-installing apps at their first run), I think the biggest benefit is the possibility of making (and merging) patches for apps. See Windows/Microsoft Update sites and Office Update site for example. With Office Update especially the default is to download "diffs", not full files (and you need either the installation media available or at install time you should have selected to copy the needed installation info to disk), unless you do the following: ------- Go to Office Update. Click Check for Updates. Office Update will check your computer for updates you need. After Office Update checks your computer, click Options in the upper right (just below the Go button). On the Options for using Office Update page, select Use larger update files that should not require access to my product CD or network installation location. Click Save. Office Update will check your computer again for updates you need. After Office Update checks your computer, click the Agree and Install button to install the updates. ------- See http://birbilis.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!2335BBEF59B92C54!143.entry For some links about MSI and a link to an interesting MS blog article explaining how they came to add their own SQL engine (relational database) for the installer and what the guy thinks about that decision now looking back. See a link I also have there to some example on querying an .MSI file via SQL commands, interesting but maybe too much? ---------------- George Birbilis ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Computer & Informatics Engineer Microsoft MVP J# for 2004-2006 Borland "Spirit of Delphi" 3D, QuickTime, QTVR, Java, Delphi, ActiveX, .NET components, Robotics http://www.kagi.com/birbilis http://birbilis.spaces.live.com _____ avast! Antivirus <http://www.avast.com> : Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0659-1, 16/12/2006 Tested on: 19/12/2006 5:19:41 ?? avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2006 ALWIL Software. _________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe: mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "unsubscribe" as the Subject archives at http://www.lazarus.freepascal.org/mailarchives
