Native Mode and Merge Modules

[semike]

Hello,

when I switch my installer to native mode the merge module BDE_PRO.msm will not be installed. Do I switch the installer back to windows mode then the setup works properly.

Regards,
Michael

[mills]

I wasn't able to reproduce this; I wasn't able to test using a BDE MSM, either.

I did run some tests using an Adobe PDF MSM
http://www.installsite.org/files/iswi/pdf.zip

I found it installed whether NATIVE_ENGINE was used or not.

[semike]

Hello mills,

thank you for your reply! I also tested with several BDE_PRO.msm versions (the last dated 07. Oct. 2010). When I set the NATIVE_ENGINE to TRUE this msm will not be installed.
You can download the msm here: http://cc.embarcadero.com/item/25597 I assume that you have access to the Embarcadero Developer Network. Please perform your tests with this Merge Module. Thanks.

Regards,
Michael

[mills]

After creating an account, I didn't have sufficient rights to download the file. I'm going to see if I can't get a BDE msm to test with... from... elsewhere....

[mills]

Merge modules will be installed only if Apply Install is called when NATIVE_ENGINE is not TRUE.

[semike]

Do I understand this right: merge modules cannot be installed in native mode? I wonder what the native mode is for. So it cannot be used to install any of my database products.

[mills]

In order to leverage the power of the native engine, you may import merge modules and directly include them in your setups using the Database Import Wizard.

Open the New Project window in the InstallAware IDE, choose MSI/MSM Import Wizard. This Database Import Wizard opens a Windows Installer setup (MSI file) or merge module (MSM file) database. It inspects the contents of the database, extracts and/or copies files from inside the database and/or source media, and then emits a ready-to-build InstallAware setup, complete with a customizable script.

See the help file topic "Database Import Wizard" for additional information.

[semike]

I licenced the professional edition of IA. So I cannot import the MSM or MSI databases. This feature is only available in Studio Admin.

[semike]

Are there any news on this issue? At the moment I cannot use the "new main feature" of IA10 and I do not plan to upgrade to AdminStudio.

[sinan]

Merge Modules are Windows Installer based, so no engine other than Windows Installer can consume them.

Thanks to InstallAware's Hybrid Installation Technology, you can use both setup engines at the same time in any given setup.

This means you can install your MSM using Windows Installer and install the remainder of your setup using the Native Engine, or whatever other combination you want.

I apologize for Andy's misleading posts which seem to indicate that MSM files would be supported in Native Engine mode.

[semike]

Hello sinan,

thank you for clearing the situation. Unfortuntely the native mode has been the moving power for me to buy the upgrade to IA10 ...
I will do some experiments with a demo version of IA10 StudioAdmin and import the MSM there. If I can use the imports in my Professional version it will be fine.
I let you know if this works.

Regards,
Michael

[sinan]

I am glad to hear the Native Engine was a major motivation. You don't have to sacrifice it though, because with HIT (Hybrid Installation Technology) you may use both engines.