Book description
If you’re a developer needing to create installers for Microsoft Windows, then this book is essential. It’s a step-by-step tutorial that teaches you all you need to know about WiX: the professional way to produce a Windows installer package.
Package your software into a single-file, double-click MSI for easy installation
Read and write to the Windows Registry and create, start, and stop Windows Services during installation
Write .NET code that performs specific tasks during installation via custom actions
Learn how the WiX command-line tools work to build and link your project
Become proficient with to-the-point examples and real-world advice
In Detail
WiX is an open source project and a toolset that builds Windows installation packages from XML source code. WiX, which is used internally by Microsoft and by many companies around the World, simplifies many of the installation tasks that used to be shrouded in mystery. The tool set provides a command-line environment that you can integrate into your old-style build processes or you can use the newer technology from inside integrated development environments to build your setup packages. You'll find that you understand your installer better, can create it in less time, and save money in the process. No one really wants to devote a lifetime to understanding how to create a hassle-free installer for any software.
This hands-on guide takes the mystery out of Windows Installer by showing how simple XML elements can be leveraged to create a sophisticated install package. By relying on Microsoft standards, you'll be able to use features like Property elements to customize your application's entry in Add/Remove Programs, the Shortcut element to create Start menu shortcuts, and other specialized elements for building upgrade and patch support and more.
This book will show you the fundamental ingredients needed to build a professional-grade installer using Windows Installer XML. The initial chapters will introduce you to the set of required elements necessary to build a simple installer. We'll then explore those basic elements in more detail and see how best to use them in the real world.In the ensuing chapters, you'll move on to learn about adding conditions that alter what the user can install, then how to add actions to the install sequence and how to author a user interface. We'll move on to advanced topics such as editing data in the Windows Registry, installing a Windows service, and building your project from the command line. Finally, you'll learn to localize your package for different languages and detect older versions during upgrades. Each chapter uses to-the-point examples to illustrate the best way to use the language.
Create a hassle-free installer for your Windows software using WiX
Table of contents
-
WiX: A Developer's Guide to Windows Installer XML
- WiX: A Developer's Guide to Windows Installer XML
- Credits
- About the Author
- About the Reviewer
- Preface
- 1. Getting Started
- 2. Creating Files and Directories
- 3. Putting Properties and AppSearch to Work
- 4. Improving Control with Launch Conditions and Installed States
- 5. Understanding the Installation Sequence
- 6. Adding a User Interface
- 7. Using UI Controls
- 8. Tapping into Control Events
- 9. Working from the Command Line
- 10. Accessing the Windows Registry
- 11. Controlling Windows Services
- 12. Localizing Your Installer
- 13. Upgrading and Patching
Product information
- Title: WiX: A Developer's Guide to Windows Installer XML
- Author(s):
- Release date: October 2010
- Publisher(s): Packt Publishing
- ISBN: 9781849513722
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