programming-for-dummies

104
Installing a Program
Figure 4-9:
Help files
provide
instructions
for using a
program.
Installing a Program
Before anyone can use your program, they need to install it. Because programs
can consist of dozens of separate files, most programs use a special
installation program that makes sure all necessary files are copied on to a
user’s computer.
To use an installation program, identify all the files that make up your program
and where to store them — either in a single location (folder) or scattered
in multiple locations (folders).
Although the main purpose of an installer is to make sure all program files
get copied to the user’s hard disk, installers often give you the option of displaying
graphics or playing music while your program installs on the user’s
computer. You can specify which graphic and audio files to display and play
as well as how long to display and play them, as shown in Figure 4-10.