Marco Tech Blog

October 18, 2005

Installing software with InstallAware

Today I've built an installation script using InstallAware, a very nice product indeed.

I had the need to write a proper installation routine for the new version of a free XML editor (called XmlTypist) I should release in a few days. To prepare a proper installation (and removal) script I used InstallAware, because I've seen good reviews of it and (even more) because I got a free copy of it from its author Sinan Karaca.

I have to say that, after a little trial and error, the process became very smooth and although I've used only a fraction of the features (no registry settings, no file associations yet, single EXE deployment and no multi-parts web download, to name only a few) it looks like a very nice piece of software, effective and with a smooth and clean UI. Highly recommended, at least from my limited experience with InstallShield and other installer programs I used in the past.

Now all I have to do is to finish the web site hosting the documentation and I can make the tool available. More on this in another post.

posted by marcocantu @ 0:17AM | 8 Comments [0 Pending]

8 Comments

Installing software with InstallAware

 Marco,

Also take a look at InnoSetup by Jordan Russel. Its 
open source, free and written in delphi. 

Very easy to use and setup with a code section where 
you can write code in a Delphi like scripting 
language.

Comment by Robert Kozak [http://www.dealerdesktop.com] on October 18, 02:39

Installing software with InstallAware

 Another thumbs up for InnoSetup here.

Comment by Dave Craggs [http://officecraft.co.uk] on October 19, 02:09

Installing software with InstallAware

 Inno Setup rocks!

Comment by Agustin Boleda on October 19, 17:15

Installing software with InstallAware

 Inno forever!

Comment by Igor Skomorokh on October 23, 10:58

Installing software with InstallAware

Innosetup lacks Windows Installer support: it may be 
an advantage or a disadvantage (i.e. no easy remote 
deployment via AD group policies, for example).

But this is interesting, althoug one year old (ZDNET 
link on the home page):

"We removed the dependency on .NET," says 
InstallAware developer Sinan Karaca. "InstallAware 
setups themselves never required .NET, but the IDE 
itself was .NET-based. This bothered some of our 
customers, because .NET was running a little slower 
than native Win32 code. We listened, and ported our 
IDE back to Win32. So the IDE is now lightning-fast 
and the .NET framework is no longer required to 
develop installations in InstallAware."

Comment by Luigi D. Sandon on October 26, 12:32

Installing software with InstallAware

 Marco, I'd love to see a chapter in one of your 
Delphi books or even book dedicated to deployment 
with InstallAware.

Comment by Troy Wolbrink on November 9, 20:44

Installing software with InstallAware

Hi;

I used inno for along time. It is great for much needs
and free. But for the big projects, msi support,  db
related setups, the InstallAware is the best. 

Marco, I am volunteer to work for you if you are
planning to add a chapter for installaware on your
next great book, if you need a bit of help.

Best regards.

Comment by Faruk Demirel [http://yatem.com.tr] on June 29, 16:37

Installing software with InstallAware

 +1 for Inno Setup here :)

My humble opinion is the Inno Setup is the best
installation system (however open source and free even
surpass many commercial ones).

There is also expert for RAD Studio which integrates
Inno Setup with C++ Builder and Delphi
(http://rad-installer.com - a little self promo :)

Comment by Tomas [http://rad-installer.com] on August 24, 06:37

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