Properties are global variables used by Windows Installer during an installation. Their values can be authored into the installation database or set to values determined by the operating environment. Properties can be used inside Formatted Type fields with the format [PROPERTY] and they will be replaced at install time with the value of the property. There are two main types of Windows Installer properties:
- Private Properties (contain lower-case letters in their name, example: My_Prop)
- Public Properties (contain only upper-case letters in their name, example: MY_PROP)
The difference between them is that the value of Public
Properties passes from the InstallUI Sequence (in which the dialogs are
shown) to the InstallExecute Sequence (in which the system is modified).
Additionally, only Public Properties can be specified at the "msiexec"
command line.
Therefore, make sure that you use a Public Property for an UI control
(Editbox, Combobox etc) if you want its value to be available in the
InstallExecute Sequence (for instance, if the value of this Property is
written in the registry).
One very important group of properties are the Windows Installer predefined system Folders.
The Properties complete reference can be found using this link:
This topic is included in the Windows Installer SDK, which is part of the Windows SDK.
Most of the properties used in an installation package created with Advanced Installer are Windows Installer Properties. However, some of them are custom and they are specific only to Advanced Installer:
- APPDIR - contains the path of the "Application Folder" in the "Files and Folders" page (it is usually the main installation folder)
- SHORTCUTDIR - contains the path of the "Application Shortcut Folder" in the "Files and Folders" page (it usually points to a folder in the Start menu)
- SourceDir - contains the location of the MSI file (it is resolved when you launch the MSI package)
- SETUPEXEDIR - contains the location of the EXE bootstrapper (it is launched when you launch the installation through the EXE bootstrapper)
- OLDPRODUCTS - contains a list with the Product Codes of the older versions of your installation package
- AI_INSTALL - this property is set (it is not empty) when the first installation of the package is performed
- AI_MAINT - this property is set (it is not empty) when the installation package is running in maintenance mode (Modify, Repair and Remove options)
- AI_PATCH - this property is set (it is not empty) when a patch is applied
- ODBC_RES_PROP - contains the ODBC Resource set in the "SQLConnectionDlg" dialog
- SERVER_PROP - contains the server name set in the "SQLConnectionDlg" dialog
- PORT_PROP - contains the port set in the "SQLConnectionDlg" dialog
- DATABASE_PROP - contains the database name set in the "SQLConnectionDlg" dialog
- USERNAME_PROP - contains the username set in the "SQLConnectionDlg" dialog
- PASSWORD_PROP - contains the password set in the "SQLConnectionDlg" dialog
- AI_SH_DIR - contains the Start menu folder in which the shortcuts will be placed (it can be set by using the "StartMenuShortcutsDlg" dialog)
- IAgree - it is to "Yes" or "No", depending on whether the user accepts or doesn't accept the terms in the License Agreement
- AI_DESKTOP_SH - this property is set (it is not empty) when the user selects the "Desktop" option in the "ShortcutsDlg" dialog
- AI_STARTMENU_SH - this property is set (it is not empty) when the user selects the "Start Menu Program folder" option in the "ShortcutsDlg" dialog
- AI_QUICKLAUNCH_SH - this property is set (it is not empty) when the user selects the "Quick Launch toolbar" option in the "ShortcutsDlg" dialog
- AI_STARTUP_SH - this property is set (it is not empty) when the user selects the "Startup folder" option in the "ShortcutsDlg" dialog