how to create installer file

Question

I am currectly finishing my project in C++ and i'm looking for a way to create my own C++ installer file which will create the project dll's and exe files into a specific path

what is the easier way to learn how to do it?

Answer 1

There are several ways to build an installer. While you can of course always make one yourself, you should google for something like "create an installer". Some prebuilt solutions include "InstallShield", or the ".msi" file format, which you can create on your own using something like "Advanced Installer".

Of course, if you want your users to build your project from source, then you need a makefile and to make sure you bundle all the libraries. There are also kits like autotools to do that for you.

Answer 2

If you use VS 2010, Installshield LE would suffice as it is integrated into VS 2010. If you have access to Installshield IDE, there is nothing better available for your packaging needs.

There are two ways of packaging:

a) The LEGACY way

b) The Windows Installer way, Basic MSI is the keyword here.

The LEGACY way involves creating your own scripts for:

a) Installing the files to their locations

b) Writing registry entries, if needed

c) Registering COM components, if needed

d) Creating shortcuts etc...

Tools that can be used for LEGACY approach are:

a) NSIS - very good and has a scripting language of its own.

b) Installshield - has a project type called Installscript Project. Installscript is the scripting language to be used.

The Windows Installer way is a bit hard comapred to the LEGACY way. One has to learn the basics of MSI technology which can be daunting. The package created has .msi as extension. This file is a database that the developer configures and the Windows Installer takes care of all other things. This is called TRANSACTIONAL installation procedure. Even the UI presented during install is configured in the Database using tables like Dialog, Controls etc...

Tools that can be used for Windows Installer approach are:

a) Installshield - has a project type called Basic MSI
b) Wix - Opensource and xml based. You configure appropriately named xml files and various utilities in the Wix package will help you to create an MSI package.