Software Deployment

ORIGINAL: vijayakumar
1. When i do that, will it conflict with other applications installing under 'Softwares' folder.
2. If there are some other applications installed under 'Softwares' say 'Application2', what happens
during uninstallation, will the installer removes the 'Softwares' folder completely
or only the 'Application' folder.
3. Please advise if there my approach is wrong.
1. Why would it? Each application is discrete and installs where the user directs it to (or to default if installed silently)
2. Why would it remove a folder it didn't create and which wasn't blank? MSIs only remove WHAT THEY INSTALLED. If a folder which an MSI created contains files which that MSI didn't install (in the case you describe, for example, or where an application creates data files not included in the MSI), it is ignored during uninstall
3. I can't imagine why you would want to add an additional level beneath 'Program Files' (since, after all, the purpose of that folder is to contain software...) but, if you want to, there's no reason not to.

It seems to me, however, that your question is connected to your post 'showArrow("4/16/2008 9:56:32 PM",34022,4,false) Unble to choose drive in 'Out of Disc Space' dialog!!! I'd be concentrating on that, rather than complicating how your workstations are set up.

you forgot to mention the plural of software is not softwares.

Hi,

My msi has been created to install under [ProgramFilesFolder]<Vendor Name>\<Appl. Name>.

There are many products for the same vendor. so they will be installed under [ProgramFilesFolder]<Vendor Name>\<Appl2. Name>.

<Appl. Name> is the [INSTALLDIR] for my msi. Now the supplier have asked me to alter the msi to allow the install location to be selected by the user. So, when the user selects the location, say 'C:\Install', the appl. installs directly under C:\Install\<Appl.Name>.That is why i am asking whether changing the INSTALLDIR to point <Vendor Name>, will affect any other appl(<Appl2>, <Appl3>) installed under this folder in any case. If i uninstall my application, will it remove the <Vendor Name> folder, even if it has other appls. installed??

Hope i m clear in explaining my problem.

Thanks,

your explaining it as clear as mud.

I hope you were referring to [ProgramFilesFolder]<Vendor Name>\<Appl. Name> as an expression cos this is bad.

It should be written as [VendorName]<Appl. Name> in order to be correct or you will have issues with changing you [INSTALLDIR]

ORIGINAL: vijayakumar
If i uninstall my application, will it remove the <Vendor Name> folder, even if it has other appls. installed??


2. Why would it remove a folder it didn't create and which wasn't blank? MSIs only remove WHAT THEY INSTALLED. If a folder which an MSI created contains files which that MSI didn't install (in the case you describe, for example, or where an application creates data files not included in the MSI), it is ignored during uninstall

I thought *my* explanation was pretty clear...

Besides, this question could be answered simply enough by basic experimentation. You *must* surely be packaging with VMs/VPCs (and if you're not, why not?) so how hard would it be to build a couple of packages to test out the theory and satisfy yourself that it works as I ghave explained?

ORIGINAL: vijayakumar
My msi has been created to install under [ProgramFilesFolder]<Vendor Name>\<Appl. Name>.
There are many products for the same vendor. so they will be installed under [ProgramFilesFolder]<Vendor Name>\<Appl2. Name>.
<Appl. Name> is the [INSTALLDIR] for my msi. Now the supplier have asked me to alter the msi to allow the install location to be selected by the user. So, when the user selects the location, say 'C:\Install', the appl. installs directly under C:\Install\<Appl.Name>.That is why i am asking whether changing the INSTALLDIR to point <Vendor Name>, will affect any other appl(<Appl2>, <Appl3>) installed under this folder in any case. If i uninstall my application, will it remove the <Vendor Name> folder, even if it has other appls. installed??

No. It would only remove the <vendor name>\appl.name directory. Some tools have a template that sets INSTALLDIR to [ProgramFilesFolder]\[Manufacturer]\[ProductName] [ProductVersion]

As Ian suggests, familiarize yourself with Windows Installer rules and properties.

Yes. I created a small msi package and tested the condition practicall. It worked the same way, as you mentioned.

Thanks.