Installing software with InstallAware

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 | 7 Comments [0 Pending]

7 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

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