Creating a install package

[Clunes]

Has the installer package gone. With Alpha12 I no longer have this option on the Tools menu. I did ask alpha support about and they said reboot, so it must be there. I did what they asked but it never came back. I told them so, still waiting for the help - over a month now. Maybe you guys have an idea or two?

[Bill Griffin]

Re: Creating a install package

From the release Notes:

Install Maker - The Install Maker, used for desktop applications to create install packages for runtime-applications, has been dropped. To distribute desktop applications that require the Alpha Five v12 runtime, you can distribute the Alpha Five Runtime Installer to install the Alpha Five Runtime files. You can use a 3rd party installer to install your application files.

[Clunes]

Re: Creating a install package

Thanks Bill. Funny that the Alpha support did not say that when they responded. Guess it s an internal communications thing. (Something every business suffers)

I can build my own installer easy enough, just liked to do it the easy way.

[ohioguy_tim]

Re: Creating a install package

Bill

So if you buy a 3rd party installer, what files needed to be included in the install package?

If you copy all the files in the workspace, how do you prevent someone getting a copy of the developer and looking at your code and seeing how you created the application?

Thanks.

[Bill Griffin]

Re: Creating a install package

Wrong guy to ask. I have not used the desktop software in years. If you search the board you will find your answers. They have been asked and answered may times before.

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: Creating a install package

This might help you:

http://developer.freeforums.net/thre...ed-application

Actually, I think it may be posted on the IADN forum as well, but I don't know where. Unfortunately, Dave Mason has been banned from this forum for reasons I don't understand.

[Clunes]

Re: Creating a install package

You really only need something like winzip to do this. Simply zip up the runtime directory and you files and then have it run the both the bat files It caters for different OS that are supplied within the runtime directory that do the registering.

A another bit clunkier way, but the really best if you want to get the proper installion, particularly if you are using sql server or something is install runtimes by using your purchase runtime package, then install the last update as well. Now with update complete move your db files to its directory.

When doing all this also create out your runtime license in a file by using notepad and call it license.key. This needs to be in the runtime directory. Means you do not have to have the user enter it.

I did use a third party installer for a while called actualinstaller. it was easy to learn and very good to use

[stecenko]

Re: Creating a install package

This is what I'm doing; could some one who's been there, done that offer some advice.

I want to provide my client with an exe that installs the necessary components to the workstation. My app is all MS SQL and I'm using shadow.

I'm using Indigo Rose's set up factory.

1) I used the Wise installer to install the runtime to a folder called InstallSource\runtime and added license.key;
2) I created a bootstrap application with the same name as the application that I want to install in a folder called InstallSource\runtime\bootstrap;
3) Then a start.txt file for splash screen and that sort of stuff in InstallSource\runtime;
4) then in Indigo Rose, I added everything in nstallSource to the list of files to install and I indicated that the shortcut for alpha5.exe has the full path to the adb table in .\bootstrap and included start.txt.
5) Indigo Rose then builds for me a setup.exe.

When I run that, the exe asks for confirmation and installs everything into a folder on the c: drive, puts an icon in the start menu and on the desktop. When I click on that icon, my lovely splash screen appears and the Install that does the optimize appears.

I think this is fantastic. The number of changes I have to make for another client will be minimal.

However, the setup.exe is huge. It's 162MB. And the setup takes a long time. Most of the time is spent installing al the CSS files.

Can I safely remove from the all the Gr and Mob folders except for the two that I'm using?
What about the Templates? Do I need those in runtime?
What about AmyuniLegacy? Do I need both it and AmyuniV4?
And SqlClr2012 and SQLdatabases?

I do not want my clients making any changes; so I assume there's stuff in there that I don't need. I would like to reduce the size of the setup.exe. But I don't want to install at my clients then have them constantly phone me that stuff is missing; so I'm prepared to be overly cautious.

[DaveM]

Re: Creating a install package

This may be a little help. I don't use sql for desktop, so can't comment on that part.

http://forum.applicationallstars.com....php?f=19&t=75

[stecenko]

Re: Creating a install package

Thanks, Dave. That's useful.

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Creating a install package

If you install your application using the runtime install supplied by Alpha, you will need to install the patch of the same build and version that you used to develop your application.

I found that the last patch available did NOT have the correct .dll files to protect against the heart bleed virus.

libeay32.dll dated 4/8/2014
ssleay32.dll dated 4/8/2014

http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...-Vulnerability

You will need to install these .dll files after running the patch.
The last patch I know of available is:

a5v11_RTPLUS_patch_3788-4187.exe

If for some reason you should run the patch a second time, again; you will need to install the two .dll files dated 4/8/2014 as the patch will overwrite the newer files.

[martinwcole]

Re: Creating a install package

mine says Build 2128, 4292

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Creating a install package

My error. I'm referencing version eleven. I now see that this post is in version 12.

So if you are using version eleven, the above still applies.

[Ted Giles]

Re: Creating a install package

I get a Server Error when looking for the DLL's. They were applied to the last "Official" release, but in the last release there is no Upsize and no Bug report option.
Wonder how many more bits you don't use regularly are missing?

Edit. Lenny got back to me super quick over my problems.
Just want to thank him publicly as I am quick to criticise.

[jhackney]

Re: Creating a install package

Mark, I have an installtion plugin for versions 10-12 you may want to try. It is in beta right now but once it is complete, it will be released for free. The link is below from the code archive.

http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...n-Plugin-Beta)