CyberInstaller Studio - Steps package creation

CyberInstaller Studio - 3. Package creation steps

Note: The creation of an installation package assumes you've completed your application to schedule and has therefore available to the compiled executable plus any necessary support files (databases, mages, sound, online help, components, libraries, etc..), all preferably, but not necessarily, in a specially crafted folder.

The creation of the package is made in 19 steps (plus one extra step, omit), which must be completed properly to get the desired result. Actually, not all steps are required, but it would always be at least check every step before creating the package, even if it is assumed the use or non-use of specific steps for your package. This advice remains valid even if you use the "New Package Wizard" for creating an installation package.

Consider each step of creation:

General parameters. This step allows you to define the general parameters for the installation package, such as package name, author or manufacturer. It's also possible to set some basic options that vary significantly the behavior of the installation such as a Windows restart or turn on the system roll-back.
Installer interface. In this step you can change the parameters that modify the interface CyberInstaller, such as transparency effects (windows and/or background), mobility of the windows, transparent windows, wallpaper display, display of titles in the background (and size of the latter), and the logo of the author.
Documentation. In this step you can modify the documentation files of the package, namely the two license and readme file, a display before (pre-installation notes) and one after (release notes) the installation process itself, and custom claims.
Data. In this step you can specify the data (folders and files) that make up the application to install. These data will be copied during the installation folder destination chosen by the end user. Also you can view the target system with changes made by the package is complete
Folders. In this step you can specify: the workbook (ie the temporary folder where you will create the package), the default destination folder (the one proposed to the user during the installation process) and an extra destination folder (useful to ask user with a possible second location to install special components). It's possible also specify a list of additional folders that will be created during installation.
Details file. In this step you can specify the dependencies and components necessary to allow the application to function correctly, such as libraries, ActiveX controls, database, image support, sounds, fonts, etc.. To help you find the dependencies you can use the tool "Find Dependencies", able to automatically detect all the dependencies of a Microsoft Visual Basic, Delphi and from any executable, so you can select what you want and automatically integrates into the list of components.
Font. In this step you can specify a list of fonts to be included in the package, including those installed on the system where you create the installation package.
Applications external. In this step you can specify a list of applications outside the package that will run before or after the actual installation process. You can choose whether to run an application directly from the target system, or if it stays in the package.
Package MSI/MSM. In this step you can specify a list of packages MSI (Windows Installer) or MSM (Merge Modules), for inclusion in the package to use as quickly as possible third-party installer in a single installation package.
Keys and registry values. In this step you can specify any keys and/or values to be created in the Windows registry (it is not necessary to have in your system, you can also create it).
Association extensions. In this step you can specify a list of extensions to associate with a program. This will make it possible, after installation, open a file directly into the program associated with the extension specified simply by double clicking on this and files.
Attributes files and folders. In this step you can specify any attributes to be set on files and/or folders on the target system after installation.
Links. In this step you can specify the connections (links or shortcuts) that you want to create on the destination system. These links will serve to simplify the user booting the installed applications.It's possible create shortcuts in any folder on the target system, but it is highly recommended to use as target only the Start Menu folder, the folder to the Startup group, or the Desktop.
Minimum. In this step you can specify the minimum requirements that must have the system in which the created package will be installed with CyberInstaller.You can then specify the version of Windows, memory, processor speed, available disk space, video resolution and authorized users.
Software prerequisites. In this step you can specify the prerequisites necessary for the proper functioning of the application software to be installed. These prerequisites should be already present or not present (choice) in the target system in any way and will not be installed unless specified otherwise. According to this may or may not be included in the current installation package, or downloaded when needed.
Serial numbers. In this step you can generate any number of serial, all different, in order to proceed with the installation.To continue the installation the user must enter a valid serial number.
Languages. In this step you can select the language(s) which will receive the installation process.
Average output (CD/DVD, web). In this step, you can create a folder ready to be burned onto CDs, DVDs or other media (with the possibility of starting automatically insert the disk in the drive), or automatically create the web page from which to install the package created by CyberInstaller.
Executable. In this step you can specify the name of self-extracting compressed executable package, containing the installation package.
Package creation. This step compiles the installation package and creates the media selected in the two previous steps (CD/DVD, web page, executable file).
Extra step. In this step you can add notes as you wish to document the project also is a historian of any changes made automatically to the project.

CyberInstaller Studio - 3.1. Information on the package in real time

When creating a package, that is, when you fill in the various steps in order to create, or after loading a previously saved project, the steps in the navigation pane of the main window of CyberInstaller Studio appears as figure on the left.

In practice, when information is added to the package, the description of the corresponding step is updated in real time with additional data, such as number of items inserted and the total size, in bytes, of data entered in that particular step.The last step, namely on the creation of the package, always shows the total size of the package is not compressed.

Consider the figure shown here at left, with a quick glance at the information listed next to the description of the steps, we see how the documents were entered 3 documents for a total 41.17 KB, 18 folders have been included, the data of 'application are around 242 for a total of 13.59 MB, 3 external applications, 14 connections and 1 speech.Also you can clearly see the last step as the total package of the project under consideration has a size of 15.07 MB in total.

Probably you will notice that the sum of the bytes of the individual steps and the total size of the package is not the same, this is because the sum total package CyberInstaller Studio also the size of CyberInstaller, incorporated in the package at the time of creation. For since CyberInstaller the installer/uninstaller itself should be added to the final package, hence its size will add up to.

Read the information on the package directly with a simple glance at the navigation panel is essential to always have an eye on how the package will be created and the size (uncompressed) that it will have.

For more detailed information on the current package, you can use a tool dedicated to CyberInstaller Studio, which in a separate window displays a tree similar to that of the navigation pane and when clicking on various nodes (represented by the steps of creation) will display detailed information on all elements at every step.

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