InstallShield 2012 Spring Express Edition User Guide

Chapter 10: Customizing Installation Behavior
Using Custom Actions
• Custom Actions During Installation—Actions that are scheduled during this run-time category are
launched during a first-time installation of the product.
• Custom Actions During Maintenance—Actions that are scheduled during this run-time category are
launched during modify mode and repair mode; they are also launched when the product is silently
uninstalled.
• Custom Actions During Uninstallation—Actions that are scheduled during this run-time category are
launched when the product is being uninstalled.
Using a Custom Action for Serial Number Validation
Serial number validation requires the use of a custom DLL file. Example code for this type of DLL file is
available in the following location:
InstallShield Program Files Folder\Samples\WindowsInstaller\ValidateSerialNumber
In this example, the serial number must take the following format:
Field1-1505-XXXXXXXXXX
The first section must appear as it does above, although it is not case-sensitive. The second section, 1505,
must be a number evenly divisible by 5 (for example, 1111 would not work). The last section can be any
10 alphanumeric characters. Keep in mind that this format is merely an example. Your serial number
function can take any format that you would like it to have.
Filter the Input Characters
To filter the input from illegal characters, enter ??????-####-?????????? in the Serial Number Template
field for the Customer Information dialog in the Dialogs view. The question marks (?) signify
alphanumeric characters and the number signs (#) signify numbers. By setting the template in this
manner, your serial number field is separated into three parts, and each section is filtered for different
types of input.
Further Considerations
The Validate Function, Success Return Value, and Retry Limit properties allow you to further customize
how your serial number validation DLL file works. For the Validate Function property, enter the name of
the function within your .dll file that validates the serial number provided by the end user.
Your .dll file should return a specific value every time it is run. The example .dll included with
InstallShield returns 1 on success and –1 on failure. Therefore, type 1 in the Success Return Value field.
When you write your own .dll file, the success return value can be whatever you choose, as long as it is
non-zero.
The Retry Limit property lets you set how many failed attempts are allowed. For example, if you only
want users to be able to try entering a serial number three times, type 3 in this field. After the third failed
attempt, the installation exits.
The example .dll file contains a user interface element that breaks down the entered serial number and
displays it to the user. Additionally, it displays the section, if any, of the serial number that is incorrect.
This display is useful when testing and troubleshooting your serial number verification .dll file, but it
should not be left in the final version of your installation.
232 ISE-1900-UG00 InstallShield 2012 Spring Express Edition User Guide