Testing an Install Script

[Jeff Gibson]

We have been using Wise Professional Install 9 for a long time now. Looking at moving over to the MSI world, but not very happy that the Wise group has more or less disappeared under Symantec/Altaris. So I'm looking at moving over the InstallAware.

My question is this.

Under Wise, you could run a test of your install. All it really did was check your syntax and make sure that all the files were in place before you compiled. It would also show you your dialogs. However, no actual changes were made on the machine you ran the test on.

How do you run a test under InstallAware? Remember, I'm not wanting to actually run the install on this machine. Just needing to make sure files are in place and dialogs are working correctly.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Jeff Gibson
Intercept Solutions
Nashville, TN

[Alex_Ronquillo]

In IA, you cannot build a project with incorrect syntax, and cannot build a project unless the files you specified in the installer are there. However, the MSI scripting in IA prevents syntax errors, since it oly lets you use allowed commands. Also, the edition of the dialogs gives you a preview option, so you can see how they will be at installation time. I hope this is what you wanted. Go ahead an try our trial version http://www.installaware.com/downloads-p ... nloads.htm. Also, make sure to read http://www.installaware.com/right-edition.htm to decide the right edition for you. Once you decide to purchase, you will not have to install the software again, the license executable file converts the trial version into the full version.

[Jeff Gibson]

I have been going through the help file and found a section on "Running Inside the IDE".

My question is still though. When you are running inside the IDE, will it actually install the files and make configuration changes to your development machine?

I'm trying to keep from corrupting my development machine. My database software is configured a certain way, and installing our app would render that useless, since it would take over my development options. Same thing goes for Crystal Reports. I have the full CR development install on my machine, but if I start install the runtime files to my machine, it could corrupt my development configuration.

I'm just trying to make sure I can run the install to test dialogs, variables, etc., without it breaking my development configuration.

Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Jeff Gibson
Intercept Solutions
Nashville, TN

[Alex_Ronquillo]

Unfortunatelly for you, Running from the IDE actually goes througout the process of installation. BTW: runtimes always check for the existence of a previous install, if the runtime is already installed, it won't install again.

[Jeff Gibson]

Unfortunately, we are not using runtimes in our install. We are manually installing each and every file that we need to make sure it goes exactly where it is supposed to within our installation.

So it looks like my only option would be to test on a clean machine to make sure everything is getting implemented the way we want it too?

Jeff Gibson
Intercept Solutions
Nashville, TN

[Chris Miller]

You probably want to look at testing inside a virtual machine. Either Microsoft Virtual PC or VMWare Workstation would do. I do all of my installer testing from inside VMWare virtual machines. That way you can test with any combination of runtimes

[SteveDude]

We have been using Wise Professional Install 9 for a long time now. Looking at moving over to the MSI world, but not very happy that the Wise group has more or less disappeared under Symantec/Altaris. So I'm looking at moving over the InstallAware.

I moved from Wise 9 myself awhile back and was very happy I did and the Wise debugger was a great feature and wish it was so in IA. Something that I did find though it is better to test in a VE or on another box, just because of the Windows Installer pitfalls. Even running a full install on a build box, it can fail on another. I use VE's which I backup and restore when needed as well as a separate test box, that I use Norton Save and Restore, restoring different OS's as needed.

I think you will be happy with a move to IA as scripting is easy to get used to after moving from Wise. You will find IA much more flexible and robust than any other Windows Installer tool.

As far as IA not letting you write an install without syntax errors, maybe not syntax errors so to speak, but other problems can cause an installation to fail can and do arise.

Steve
Just a satisfied IA Admin User