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Creating Installer

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    Creating Installer

    I have searched the board and found a lot of scattered info on creating an install package. I downloaded Inno Script and dont even understand where to begin.

    Having always used the runtime installer, I dont even know what it does and how to replicate that using a 3rd party installer. Things like the .net and pdf driver install and such. I dont know what reg entries a user with a runtime should have. I know what files I have created that need to be installed but the rest is a mystery, and how to do it worse.

    I would hope that one .exe could be made to install the runtime, any patches in a directory of choice. Install the file that has my runtime registration number in it, then install all of the .net .pdf stuff and whatever registry entries are needed. This seems so daunting.

    And then, how to install a patch and not overwrite data files but the others and a new runtime. Anyway, thanks in advance.

    I have never used an installer before and would like to try one of the free ones. If someone could point me in the right direction that would be fantastic.

    #2
    Re: Creating Installer

    So what is wrong with the Alpha Installer?
    Works with V11, but dropped for V12.
    It is fairly easy once you have the RunTime after that you choose what you want to distribute, either by email as a zip, or as an Alpha Files Only install.
    Try downloading my freeware, and see how easy it is.
    See our Hybrid Option here;
    https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


    Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
    You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Creating Installer

      Ted,

      I would like to get V12 at some point and I have run into issues with the installer and windows 8. I guess knowing what is supposed to happen in an install and not relying on a installer that Alpha no longer supports gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Right now I have an expense report db that I created for my associates and to install it, I have to run the full runtime installer(which installs .net and a .pdf driver I think), then run the latest patch, put my regstration text file in the same directory as the runtime. Copy all my database files into a directory, create another folder used for backups. Place a shortcut on the desktop. The installer failes in Windows 8. When I would like to give them an update, I would like to be able to update the runtime and only the files I need in the directory.

      I suppose I would like to be able to understand and control the process.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Creating Installer

        Couple of things John.
        I have not tried to install to Win 8, but the problems are most likely Permissions issues. V11 should work on V8 OK.

        RT and Data can be separate components.
        If you use the latest RT and latest Dev versions, you will never have to update the RT again and you won't need to apply any patches.
        The License key only needs to go in once and is added using the AddFile option.
        Backup location can be preconfigured if you have added a Backup routine.
        The database will be loaded as a default wherever you want it on the target PC, but the users can overwrite this.
        Updates are carried out by zipping and sending the changed files - like a different or new screen - and unzipped into the target directory where the database resides. You can create an installer with just the changed files included so that you don't overwrite any data instead.
        Shortcuts can be automatically added to the Desktop. There is an option to do that but only with the full install.

        If you go for V12, then you will need a different installer. Suggest you contact John Willems as he has used a very user friendly installer.
        See our Hybrid Option here;
        https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


        Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
        You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Creating Installer

          Originally posted by Ted Giles View Post
          If you go for V12, then you will need a different installer. Suggest you contact John Willems as he has used a very user friendly installer.
          "Top (bottom?) of the afternoon to ya' Ted, (on that side of the "big pond.") ~ Just curious, I couldn't find any references to John Willems here on the forum.
          (I can't get over how quiet this message board is, compared with last spring & previous years. ~ Looks like I was "spot on!")

          Update: Found him via google on the alphadevnet.com forum. http://forum.alphadevnet.com/index.php?topic=492.15
          (I'm not a member of any of these other forums, but maybe I should "go newbie?")
          Last edited by SNusa; 12-27-2013, 01:12 PM.
          Robert T. ~ "I enjoy manipulating data... just not my data."
          It's all about the "framework." (I suppose an "a5-induced" hard drive crash is now in order?)
          RELOADED: My current posting activity here merely represents a "Momentary Lapse Of Reason."

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Creating Installer

            I used Astrum for quite awhile until it went freeware and no Win8 support. Have used

            http://www.deploymaster.com/benefits.html

            for quite awhile with A5 V11 and had GREAT result. The support is second to NONE, but it is not free, nor expensive. $99.00.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Creating Installer

              I still use Astrum all the time. I have installed on Windows 8 systems and so far so good.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Creating Installer

                Quick question: Moving forward, what's the point of using a 3'rd party installer if v12 does not have any support for an "unlimited runtime" on the desktop.
                I just upgraded my subscription to use v.12 (since the licensing model was "relaxed.") What I had not realized is that there is no longer an unlimited runtime available for the desktop. I had not thought of this when I renewed. (Having maintained a "Charter Subscription" since day #1, I was not aware of this. (There was always an unlimited runtime server included in the subscription plan. I took it for granted that it was part of the "deal.") My Alpha account manager specifically stated that v.11 "classic desktop applications" would still work fine in v.12. In hindsight, I guess that's only 1/2 of the equation.)

                I never gave this much thought (prior to today), but the current distribution model for v.12 essentially prohibits "classic desktop development" where one might create an application for distribution as shareware/freeware etc..... I never paid much attention to the "Application Server" threads as I was only working with classic desktop controls. (And then I "made the mistake" of trying to use the HTML editor in v.11)

                With no fix in sight (for the IE11 v.11 incompatibility), my only option (so I thought) was to update to v.12 to write classic desktop GUI's. ~ But this won't solve the problem with regards to distribution, right? You can't add an "unlimited runtime" as there isn't one!?!? ~ It wasn't so long ago that Alpha added the unlimited runtime to address this very issue/concern of developers....
                Robert T. ~ "I enjoy manipulating data... just not my data."
                It's all about the "framework." (I suppose an "a5-induced" hard drive crash is now in order?)
                RELOADED: My current posting activity here merely represents a "Momentary Lapse Of Reason."

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Creating Installer

                  Get a refund. There is no difference between V11.5 and V12. Waste of money. Alpha is loosing its desktop developers every day. They will soon realize that most developers don't want to go to the Web only.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Creating Installer

                    Originally posted by Windstarsoftware View Post
                    I still use Astrum all the time. I have installed on Windows 8 systems and so far so good.

                    Same here.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Creating Installer

                      Originally posted by Windstarsoftware View Post
                      Get a refund. There is no difference between V11.5 and V12. Waste of money. Alpha is loosing its desktop developers every day. They will soon realize that most developers don't want to go to the Web only.
                      I think I was wrong with the statement that v.12 does not include a desktop runtime, because this is on their site: "The Alpha Anywhere Application Server also includes a free Runtime Server for the distribution of your Windows desktop applications." (Also from what I was told, all the desktop features of v.11 still exist in v.12. ~ I was also told by sales that fixes were being implemented to these components on the desktop side. Fixes that had not been made to v.11 during the time period leading up to when they were rolling out v.12.) Even this is not a reasonable scenario. Because if you're developing on v.11, and you have a subscription.... You expect support on the reported bugs for the version you are using.

                      I had posted quite a few "bugs/issues" on another thread here in the v11 forums. If they were not addressed in v.12, and the above information is wrong, I may have no option but to reconsider/cancel....
                      Robert T. ~ "I enjoy manipulating data... just not my data."
                      It's all about the "framework." (I suppose an "a5-induced" hard drive crash is now in order?)
                      RELOADED: My current posting activity here merely represents a "Momentary Lapse Of Reason."

                      Comment

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