Hi Troy, > Each tool will be independently updated, and versioned, sometimes needing to > be installed individually, sometimes as part of a package. When installed as > a package, they may need to be updated individually, as part of that > package... ... > I'm not completely clear on merge modules and how those work, but I imagine > that's what I want to do here.
Yes, that seems the correct approach. We use merge modules for our various components (framework, terminology, reporting, etc) and then add them as features to our products. The tools are maintained and versioned separately from the products themselves. For the scenario where the tool itself is installed separately, you will need an installer for the tool, but that just has to reference the tools merge module. There is some work converting an MSI to an MSM, but not a lot; change the project type in WiX properties and wrap the Package/Directory/Component elements up in a Module. Since you're using .NET and new to WiX, if I can offer some advice; ensure you understand the difference between AssemblyVersion and AssemblyFileVersion attributes. WiX uses AssemblyFileVersion - well, at least the Major.Minor.Build parts, but if you strong name your assemblies and reference the full binding path, you probably wont want to change the AssemblyVersion value as often as you change AssemblyFileVersion (even if the process is automated). Otherwise you'll be needing to update configuration files a lot more often than is probably necessary. We learnt the hard way :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This SF.Net email is sponsored by the Moblin Your Move Developer's challenge Build the coolest Linux based applications with Moblin SDK & win great prizes Grand prize is a trip for two to an Open Source event anywhere in the world http://moblin-contest.org/redirect.php?banner_id=100&url=/ _______________________________________________ WiX-users mailing list WiX-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
