InstallShield 2012 Spring Express Edition User Guide

Chapter 2: Getting Started
Project Assistant
Installation Architecture Page
The Installation Architecture page lets you specify the features that you want your installation program
to display to the end user. A feature is the smallest separately installable piece of your product from the
end user’s standpoint. Individual features are visible to end users when they select a Custom setup type
during installation.
Note: Features can contain subfeatures, subsubfeatures, and so forth, to as many levels as your installation program
requires.
Adding Features in the Project Assistant
Task To add a feature:
1. In the Project Assistant, open the Installation Architecture page.
2. Select Yes in answer to Do you want to customize your Installation Architecture?
3. To add a main feature, click the Installation Architecture explorer. To add a subfeature, click the
feature that you want to be the parent feature, and then click New. The Project Assistant creates the
new feature.
4. Name the feature or click Rename to name it later.
Determining Whether to Create a Multiple-Feature Installation
Features are the building blocks of an installation, from the end user’s perspective. Because of this,
features should represent distinct and discrete pieces of functionality within your installation.
If your application has different blocks of functionality, you should create a multiple-feature installation.
For example, if your installation contains your application (.exe file) and a help library (.hlp file), your
installation project should contain at least two features—one for each piece of functionality.
To learn more about creating a multiple-feature installation within the Project Assistant, see Creating
Installations with Multiple Features.
Creating Installations with Multiple Features
You can create an installation with multiple features using the Project Assistant or in the Installation
Designer (IDE).
Task To create a multiple-feature installation in the Project Assistant:
1. In the Project Assistant, open the Installation Architecture page.
2. Select Yes to indicate you want to customize your installation architecture.
62 ISE-1900-UG00 InstallShield 2012 Spring Express Edition User Guide