Software Deployment

- MSDN
- Download the Platform SDK (overkill, but it's handy to have)
- Use Google

I'm a bad googler. If you can point me to some links that'll be great.

Hi Praveen

Visit the Website http://nexus.realtimepublishers.com and download the free 'Administrator Shortcut Guide to VBScripting for Windows'.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Roland

• AdminStudio, worth every penny of the $x,000 if you're doing a lot of repackaging.
• Microsoft Platform SDK (includes Orca)
• http://helpnet.installshield.com/robo/projects/InstallShieldXHelpLib/IHelpPropReference.htm - lists most of the regular folder "shortcuts" in MSI lingo

I also use a Subversion client to "version control" my packages. Since MSI/T/P files are all binary, I can't just look at them and figure out what changed, but I can if I go into Orca and export all the tables to a specific directory in my repository. That's saved me more than a few times.

If you're a "bad googler" I'd really suggest getting to know Google a little more. I don't know how you'd go about doing that, but there are really no new questions in this field...just about everything has been answered at one point or another, and chances are good it's on Google.

I'm a bad googler. If you can point me to some links that'll be great.Oh, please...that's pathetic. Why not just be honest and post "I'm too bone idle to find the information I want and I'd like someone else to tell me how to do my job."? Is the 'Search Tips' link at the foot of the Google page too troubling? Do you already have someone lined up to do your C++ coding?

This forum exists to help people develop their packaging skills and knowledge. When you get stuck with a genuine problem or need advice about some troubling aspect of that process, please return and ask your question. In the meantime, don't expect people here to lay things on a plate.

Am I being too harsh? I don't believe I am. I've spent the last 2 days working on scripts to automate our AD deployment process in script (creating the group, GPO, linking GPO to an OU, adding permissions, etc). When I began the project, although I have scripted extensively, I knew precisely *nothing* about using the GPMgmt.GPM object, or the vaguaries of AD query syntax. But, I went to the 'net and I found out, I downloaded sample scripts, etc, etc.That's how we learn stuff, isn't it?

Hey... please wait.

I don't want to google as people here might be knowing something which google deosn't return..

If we can find everythign in google.. why are these forums for? :-)

Thanks for your answers though.

VBScab, dont worry I can take it even if you are harsh :-)

If you read once again what I have asked.. I asked for the docs and tools.. and not to write them for me :-)

Can you please elucidate any automation tools or scripts that can help to make packages and repackaging job more fun and efficient.

You say you want tools or script to help, what specific aspect of repackaging are you refering too?

ICE error fixing?
Service installs?
Driver installs?
Merge modules?
CustomActionData?
Orca?
Installshield?
Wise?
ProcessMon?

I could go on but thats a bit pointless, being a bit more specific would help though as your comming across as you dont know how to package but want to be told what tools to use to do the job and how to use those tools.

Paul

Anything! Any way (tool or script) which can help somewhere in the process of packaging.

Automation can be done by using the InstallShield or Wise COM objects. When you have learned google you can find more information about the objects available within these COM objects. You can easily connect to these COM objects from almost any language. For VBScript you should use:

[font="courier new"]Set objMy = CreateObject("<OBJECT TO CREATE>")

I also like to use perl to cleanup and fix InstallShield snapshot files (irp, inc ...)

You can also communicate with the WindowsInstaller.Installer COM object to query the MSI database. The information can be found in the Windows Installer SDK documentation, which also has several example scripts. Don't expect any fancy error messages from these methods though ;)

Thaks for the information.

If you read once again what I have asked.. I asked for the docs and tools.. and not to write them for me :-)Type as follows:

"windows installer" +automation

into Google. Go to the first hit (an MSDN page)

Hello,

The kind of query you have, i am also looking for the same. However, i am willing to use the Windows Installer API available. I have reached a level of automation by using the API. However, can you tell me what kind of automation you intend to do? We have developed a tool in our environment using the API itself. Therefore, i would also suggest you to go through the Windows Installer API (Win32) and then i feel that you will have your queries answered.

You can also feel free to get in touch as even i am interested in taking the automation thing to a next level. Good to see that two people have the same ideas coming up. Hope to hear from you.

With Best Regards,
Tushar Singh