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

Chapter 8: Organizing Files for Your Installation
Including Redistributables in Your Installation
InstallShield includes support for two types of InstallShield prerequisites:
• Setup prerequisite—The installation for this type of prerequisite runs before your installation runs.
• Feature prerequisite—This type of prerequisite is associated with one or more features. It is installed
if the feature that contains the prerequisite is installed and if the prerequisite is not already installed
on the system. Thus, if a feature has a condition that is not met on the target system, or if the end
user chooses not to install the feature, the feature is not installed. As a result, none of its associated
feature prerequisites are installed, unless the feature prerequisites are also associated with other
features that are installed.
Merge Modules
A merge module (or .msm file) contains all of the logic and files needed to install distinct pieces of
functionality. For example, many applications require Microsoft Visual Basic run-time .dll files. Instead
of having to include the file in a feature and figure out its installation requirements, you can simply
attach the Visual Basic Virtual Machine merge module to one of your project’s features.
Note: Many of the merge modules included in the Redistributables view are authored by Microsoft or another third party.
InstallShield distributes these modules as a courtesy to assist you in creating your installation project. However,
InstallShield cannot modify or fix any problems that may exist within third party–authored modules. You are encouraged to
contact the vendor regarding issues with specific third party–authored modules.
Objects
Like merge modules, objects contain logic and files needed to install distinct pieces of functionality.
Some objects, such as the Microsoft Access object included with InstallShield, require customization
through a wizard. As soon as you add such an object to your installation, its customization wizard opens.
You can either customize your object at the time you add it, or cancel the wizard and customize your
object later by right-clicking the object and selecting Change Objects Settings.
Live Redistributables Gallery
Because the file size of many of the redistributables is so large, some that are available for use in your
projects are not added to your computer when you install InstallShield. However, these redistributables
are still available for download from the Internet to your computer. In addition, a newer version of a
redistributable that you have on your computer may be available for download.
Configurable Merge Modules
A configurable redistributable is a merge module or an object that has at least one row in the
ModuleConfiguration table that is referenced by at least one row in the ModuleSubstitution table. This
enables you to change a value in the redistributable. When you select a configurable module in the
Redistributables view, the Merge Module Configurable Values dialog box is displayed to enable you to
configure the module at the time you add it. To customize the merge module later, right-click it and then
click Configure merge module.
166 ISE-1800-UG01 InstallShield 2012 Express Edition User Guide