Creating installer that copies files from source to target

[ktdeveloper]

I am new to software development (though not programming). I am in the process of delivering my first application for commercial release, and I am in need of a single-click installer package. I looked into a number of solutions - I coded my own in C# (it basically just grabs my three folders to their respective destinations), but ran into some issues with bundling some IO libraries. Since I am using Visual Studio Express 2012, I cannot use the InstallShield module. I found Advanced Installer, and would like to see if this service is suitable for my needs.

I have three folders:

1. myApplication2013 folder
2. myApplication2014 folder
3. System.Data.SQLite.dll

The logic of my C# code is the following:

Code: Select all

    public static void installer(){
            deleteLegacyFiles(); // deletes legacy myApplication directories and files
            moveSQLite(); // moves system.data.sqlite database to directory
            if(checkRevit2013()){ // install myApplication 2013 if Revit 2013 is installed
                moveMyApplication2013();
            }else if(checkRevit2014()){ // if Revit 2014 is installed, install myApplication 2014
                moveTally2014();
            }else{ // tell user both Revit 2014 and Revit 2013 is not installed
                System.out.println("It does not look like you have either Revit 2013 or Revit 2014 installed.");
            }
        }

The target locations per folder/file is the following

1. myApplication-2013 is:

Code: Select all

C:\\ProgramData\\Autodesk\\REVIT\\Addins\\2013

2. myApplication-2014 is:

Code: Select all

C:\\ProgramData\\Autodesk\\REVIT\\Addins\\2014

3. System.Data.SQLite.dll is:

Code: Select all

C:\\Windows\\Microsoft.NET\\assembly\\GAC_64

How do I specify, in Advanced Installer, to copy these directories from the source location (i.e. user specified - so when the user unzips, those three folders above could be on the desktop) to the above locations.

Note: This is a post-compilation installer, that is, this is not done within VS Express, but outside of it.

I am also interested in creating a merge module - but I guess this will need to be done pre-compilation? If I am wrong, please correct me. Does Advanced Installer do this?

Thank you!

[Bogdan]

Hi,

As replied over mail, yes, this can be done very easy with Advanced Installer. On the Check if folder exists & Install files on existing folder forums thread my colleague Dan explains how this can be done, he also included a sample project for you.

You can also create merge modules, but with the Enterprise edition of Advanced Installer.

Best regards,
Bogdan