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

Chapter 2: Getting Started
Overview of Installations
same operating system or language. A dictionary feature might contain several language-specific
dictionary components. In addition to containing files, components generally contain registry data,
shortcuts, file extension information, and other system data to write to a user’s machine.
Overview of Installations
Even if you are unaware of what a setup is, chances are you have used one before. If you have ever
installed a product onto your computer, you have seen a setup in action, from the end user’s perspective.
The setup transfers files from the source medium to your local drive. It also makes the required registry
entries, creates shortcuts, and registers COM servers. Setups commonly gather information about the
target machine and the user.
Typical Elements of an Installation
Perform File Transfer
File transfer involves copying files from the source medium, such as a CD or a floppy disk, to a local drive
on the end user’s machine. Depending on the configuration the end user chooses, all or only some of the
files may be transferred to the local disk. During file transfer, a setup can display billboards that provide
product information such as new features or usability tips. A status bar may also be displayed to show
the progress of the file transfer process.
Display User Interface
The user interface of a setup provides information and setup configuration choices to the end user.
Through the user interface an end user can choose to install only part of a product, choose to leave some
files on the source medium, view a license agreement, or provide information to the installer that may be
necessary to ensure the proper configuration of the installation. The user interface can be customized to
meet whatever needs you may have. For example, you can prompt a user for a serial number before
starting the installation if you want to protect your software against illegal use.
Create Shortcuts
Shortcuts are links to files and applications that can be created on the end user’s machine during a setup.
Shortcuts are often placed on the desktop or the Start menu of the target machine to provide quick and
easy access to a program or its files.
Register File Associations
If your product uses a distinct file type you need to register those file types on the end user’s system. For
example, Notepad creates a file with a .txt extension. In order for a file type to be recognized by your end
user’s system, it must be registered in the system registry. The process of registering a file type is
handled during a setup.
Register COM, COM+, and DCOM Files
COM servers (such as ActiveX, COM, and COM+ files) require special registration so that applications
can access the files’ interfaces. Traditionally, these EXEs, DLLs, and OCXs contained self-registration
functions that could be invoked to register the files during installation. However, relying on selfregistration
can cause some problems: the end user cannot always be certain of what information is
being registered or that the registry entries will be fully cleaned up when the file is uninstalled.
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