InstallShield 2012 Express Edition User Guide - Knowledge Base ...

InstallShield Objects
Chapter 2: Getting Started
Upgrading from Earlier Versions of InstallShield
InstallShield objects have been replaced with merge modules. If a merge module that can supply the
functionality provided by the object you used in your project exists, that module is added to your setup.
If your setup includes a file that is also included in a merge module, the module is added to your setup
rather than your single file. One exception to this rule is if the module needed by your setup requires
customization, such as the Access 97 merge module. This module is not added to your setup during
migration due to the customization it requires. The same holds true for the Access 2000/2002/2003
and BDE merge modules. If no module exists that provides the same functionality as the object you used
in earlier versions, add the necessary files by hand.
To learn more, see Including Redistributables in Your Installation.
InstallShield Extensions
InstallShield extensions have been replaced by custom actions. With custom actions you can call a
function from a DLL or launch an executable. If you had an extension that performed one of these two
tasks, that extension is converted into a custom action in your new project. For more information, see
Using Custom Actions.
Registry Entries
All of the registry data in your old project is added to your new project.
Shortcuts
Shortcuts in the new InstallShield are much more robust than those found in previous versions. Any
shortcuts you had in your old setup are migrated into your new setup project. However, since there are
many more settings for shortcuts in the latest version of InstallShield, you may want to go to the
Shortcuts/Folders view and configure the settings for each of the shortcuts your project contains, such
as the hot key combination, the icon index, and the working directory. These settings are not required,
however.
For specific details about each of the settings, see Shortcut Settings.
Dialogs
Although the run-time dialogs in the latest version of InstallShield differ in look from those in earlier
versions, they serve similar functions. The Setup Type dialog, for example, still serves the same purpose
it always has: it allows your customers to select which setup type they want to use. The same dialogs you
chose to include in your old InstallShield Express project are included in your new project.
One major difference between the dialogs in earlier versions of InstallShield Express and those in the
latest version is the use of .rtf files. When linking to a license agreement or readme file in earlier versions
of InstallShield Express, you would use a text (.txt) file. The latest version of InstallShield requires you to
use rich text (.rtf) files. Your previously created .txt files are converted to .rtf files as part of the migration
process.
Distribution Media
The type of media you selected in previous versions of InstallShield Express is not migrated into your
new InstallShield setup. Select a medium from the list of available media types in the Build Your Release
view. For information about each of the available types, see Media Types.
If you had previously released your setup on floppy disk, see Building a Release for Floppy Disk
Distribution.
InstallShield 2012 Express Edition User Guide ISE-1800-UG01 99