Daniel, here are some things to consider with what you've outlined below. Again, we're just trying to provide some pointers, but like you said, ultimately it's your application and setup, so you have to decide what you want to do.
Servicing - If all of your files are deployed via the zip files method, then you may not have as big of a problem. However, if you use Windows Installer to do half of your installation and do the other half yourself, you may run into some problems. Here's one, for example: if you deploy file X using the original setup that you ship on your CDs. Then later you decide to overwrite file X on your own (outside of Windows Installer), if the user decides to do a repair (via Add/Remove programs), I think you're in trouble. Uninstall - what you're suggesting isn't typical, but it could work. Rollback - I understand what you're saying here with the "trust-that-it-works" mentality. I often go with that approach too for quick-and-dirty solutions. However, I think you'll find that it's very risky to have such a model with shipping code. Also, the rollback might not always be in your control. What happens if the user clicks Cancel half-way through your installation? When writing a custom action, you really have to support rollback or at least know and be prepared for the ramifications when the installation doesn't go as planned. Anyway, we've beaten this horse until it's glue. :) Good luck with your software! Justin -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Daniel Goldman Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 6:43 PM To: Justin Rockwood Cc: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [WiX-users] customaction runs unzip? Hi Justin, Thanks for the advice. I admit I'm a newbie related to installing windows software. Related to servicing the files, I was planning to retain a copy of the installation cd for each cd that I send out (each one is usually different), to troubleshoot any problems. If a problem arises, I'll either send a new cd, or figure out which files need correction, and send them. For uninstall, I was hoping to just delete the directory or subdirectory holding all the files. I would also like to delete any registry entries related to the software, and any shortcuts. I was not planning to support rollback during install or uninstall. I was hoping to verify that the zip file is not corrupted, and then trust that unzip works correctly. In case the install or uninstall is interrupted, I'm thinking the user could just do it again. I know this all may sound terrible to you! I promise I will just use this for my special purposes, which are dictated by the nature of the software, and not try to persuade anyone else to take this admittedly unconventional path. Thanks for pointing me where to look in the code. Daniel Justin Rockwood wrote: > Daniel, here are some things you may want to consider: > > * How are you going to service the files that you unzip? > * How are you going to support uninstall? > * How are you going to support rollback during an install or uninstall? > > I fully appreciate that different software packages may have different > installation needs and scenarios. However, I would just be very, very > cautious about proceeding down the path that you've outlined below. > The advice that Rob is giving is not just his advice. Both he and > Microsoft in general have learned a great deal about deployment over > the years and what things to watch out for. The outline you gave below > is fraught with peril and we are here to tell you the danger signs. > > Now, having told you that you are entering dangerous territory, let me > give you some pointers. :) > > Probably the best examples for custom actions are just looking at the > Wix custom action code. That will give you a general framework to use > and will get you started in the right direction. You'll have to > download the zip file (ironic, huh :). We don't have any custom > actions in place to do zipping or unzipping, so you'll have to create your own. > > Justin > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Daniel > Goldman > Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 3:43 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Cc: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net > Subject: Re: [WiX-users] customaction runs unzip? > > Hi Rob, > > I'm glad to hear I can create a series of CustomActions to unzip a > file during install. Lets me move forward. > > I appreciate the advice about "better". You should know. But > ultimately I have to make that decision. It's simple for me to > implement the unzip scenario. I know this isn't what wix was designed > to do, but it may be very useful for this family of softwares. If it > doesn't meet the needs of my software scenario, I'll go to the next > level. I'm looking to do something > like: > > 1) display license agreement > 2a) EITHER install a) infozip or other unzip binary and b) zip file > 2b) OR leave unzip binary and zip file on the cd > 3) invoke unzip on the zip file, placing files in set location > 4) add shortcuts to desktop and start menu > 5) check for .NET 2.0 runtime, install if needed > 6) give user additional information > > Do you have an example of customaction for unzipping a file (or > executing some other binary). Or any hints about which customaction > parameters are needed? Or do I just need to play around with customaction? > > Thanks, > Daniel > > Rob Mensching wrote: > > >>To be clear, WiX is distributed several ways. For the end-user >>(non-developer or developer), the WiX toolset is included in .MSI >>files and installed/upgraded/uninstalled. For the developer's build >>process, the WiX toolset is provided as a .zip file. >> >>My point previously was that everything you've described in your >>scenario thus far sounds nothing like the case where a .zip file is >>used to distribute the WiX toolset. I'm not saying this to be >>critical or because I feel criticized. I say this because I care very >>much about the experience end-users have on their machines and want to >>encourage each and every developer to create installation packages >>that work well in all cases. In other words, I care very much about > > "better". > >>Ultimately, the answer is YES you can create a series of CustomActions >>to unzip a file during install but I would not recommend doing that. >> >> >>-----Original Message----- >>From: Daniel Goldman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 1:35 PM >>To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net >>Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>Subject: Re: [WiX-users] customaction runs unzip? >> >>Hi Rob, >> >>I was intending no criticism of wix. I think wix is great. >>And I don't think I had any misconceptions. I read the previous >>postings where zipping wix was discussed. >> >>But the fact is that wix IS distributed by a zip file. >>It's fine with me. You have valid reasons for doing so. >> >>As I explained under Background in previous postings in the thread, I >>also have valid reasons for wanting to distribute a set of softwares >>using zip or xcopy, and for omitting upgrade and uninstall. But I >>would like to do so from within wix, so it looks more professional, >>and so I can automatically add shortcuts to the desktop and start >>menu, and possibly check for .net runtime more reliably. >> >>So instead of all these discussions about whether it's "better" >>to do things one way or another, could somone please answer my simple >>question: >> >>Is it possible to use customaction (or some other wix >>mechanism) to run unzip on a zip file from the install cd? >>Or to run xcopy from install cd. >> >>If answer is YES, can you provide example syntax? And is there any >>kind of progress meter possible? >> >>If answer is NO, any alternative install mechanisms other than batch >>file option, which I would like to avoid (clunky-looking). >> >>Thanks, >>Daniel >> >>Rob Mensching wrote: >> >> >> >>>This is a common misconception about the WiX package that I figured I >>>should set straight. The .zip version of the WiX toolset is provided >>>for developers who want to take the tools and check them into their >>>source control system (a process I highly encourage). The .zip file >>>provides no mechanism for upgrading, uninstalling or any of those >>>other features that a non-developer would expect from an >>>application's >> >>installation package. >> >> >>>For those developers that don't check the tools into their source >>>control system, the WiX toolset is provided as an MSI (see Votive.ms) >>>with proper upgrade, uninstall logic. >>> >>>Unless your application is a tool that developers should check into >>>their source control system and requires no registration to work, I >>>would not use the WiX toolset as your example why distributing an >>>application via a .zip file is acceptable. >>> >>> >>>-----Original Message----- >>>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Daniel >>>Goldman >>>Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 12:39 PM >>>To: wix-users@lists.sourceforge.net >>>Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>Subject: Re: [WiX-users] customaction runs unzip? >>> >>>I don't know what you mean by "fishy". The wix package itself is >>>distributed by zip, so zip can't be that bad. I can deal with patches >>>by just sending a new full distribution, or just sending the file(s) >>>that need replacing. >>> >>> >> >> >> > > Using Tomcat but need to do more? Need to support web services, security? > Get stuff done quickly with pre-integrated technology to make your job > easier Download IBM WebSphere Application Server v.1.0.1 based on > Apache Geronimo > http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=120709&bid=263057&dat=1216 > 42 _______________________________________________ > WiX-users mailing list > WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users > > Using Tomcat but need to do more? Need to support web services, security? Get stuff done quickly with pre-integrated technology to make your job easier Download IBM WebSphere Application Server v.1.0.1 based on Apache Geronimo http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=120709&bid=263057&dat=121642 _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users Using Tomcat but need to do more? Need to support web services, security? Get stuff done quickly with pre-integrated technology to make your job easier Download IBM WebSphere Application Server v.1.0.1 based on Apache Geronimo http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=120709&bid=263057&dat=121642 _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
