InstallAware ignores project Read-Only attribute.

[rxelizondo]

I recently discovered that if I mark all the InstallAware files as read-only (to protect them against unintentional changes), InstallAware completely ignores and bypasses this protection. It looks as if InstallAware just removes the read-only protection and makes the modifications to the project.

This is very, very, very, very bad. The whole point of me marking a file as read-only is to protect the files. Rather that overwriting the files, InstallAware should display a message stating that it was unable to make file modification dues to the files protection level.

Is this a bug or is this a "feature"?

Thanks.

[giaviv]

Hi,

This is actually a feature - InstallAware makes changes to its project files, and therefore requires non-readonly files.

[rxelizondo]

Thanks but....

This makes no sense at all. I don’t know of a single other application that completely ignores the read-only attribute like InstallAware does. Microsoft Office, Visual Studio etc, etc. All these applications respect the read-only attribute and won’t overwrite files. Even InstallAware itself dialog editor won’t overwrite its files it they are marked as read-only.

Would you mind elaborating on the reason why InstallAware can’t simply let a user know that the file must be read-write before it can make any changes? Just like the absolute majority of applications available today do? Why the need for the odd behavior.

Thanks.

[giaviv]

Hi,

We added this feature due to user complaints - I guess some users like this feature better than others.

[rxelizondo]

Is there at least an option to have InstallAware respect the read-only attribute?...... I mean really, if there is an option to change the behavior then you can call this a feature, but if there is no option then this is clearly a gross design bug..... in my opinion at least!

I have to tell you, I am awfully curious to know why would anyone complain about not being able to write to a file after they set the read-only attribute. Seriously, if someone needs a read/write file then don't turn on the read-only flag, is that simple. Any comments on that?

Thanks.

[giaviv]

We appreciate your comments. This has been added to our wish list.