How to create an installer of a browser-based system?

Question

I just developed a browser-based employee management system. I am wondering if there is a way for me to create an installer or a self-extracting file to transfer the system to another computer easily.

I have tried using "iexpress.exe" and "Actual Installer" however it seems they only extract in a single directory. Is there a way for me to specify which file should go to a specific directory using these applications? If none, any suggestions how to do it?

When you say "browser based" system, what exactly are you installing? — Christopher Painter, Sep 12 '15 at 19:50

fission · Answer 1 · 2015-09-08T07:33:29.893

5

You can make IExpress put files into subdirectories using a technique described by Microsoft. In your install program, you’d need to do something similar to:

@md i386
@xcopy /q /y toastva.exe i386\.
@xcopy /q /y tostrcls.dll i386\.
@xcopy /q /y tostrco2.dll i386\.
@xcopy /q /y toaster.sys i386\.

(You could use move /y instead of xcopy, if that’s what you wanted to do.)

This is due to a technical limitation in the way IExpress generates its CAB file. IExpress generates a DDF file which is read by makecab.exe; this file places all source files in the same destination folder. Thus each source file must have a unique name, regardless of its source directory.

While makecab.exe itself supports subdirectories, the input DDF file is generated on-the-fly by IExpress, so it would be difficult (if not impossible) to intercept it and make changes before makecab.exe reads it.

But honestly, if you need subdirectories (and sub-subdirectories…) then you might want to consider using a "real" installer maker. Some examples in no particular order:

edited Sep 08 '15 at 07:33

answered Sep 27 '13 at 16:16

fission

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This answer says it can be done using IExpress (albeit with limitations) but doesn't explain how. Can you elaborate? – Nate Hekman Sep 03 '15 at 16:06
I dunno, I'm feeling kind of demotivated by the downvote. – fission Sep 04 '15 at 07:13
Ha, sorry for demotivating you. :-) Actually I see now the original question wasn't only about IExpress, so I'll remove the downvote and remotivate you. FWIW, I couldn't find any way to do it with IExpress, so I've switched to using 7zip. – Nate Hekman Sep 04 '15 at 20:21
But SO won't let me remove my downvote unless the answer gets edited, and I'm not motivated enough to edit it. – Nate Hekman Sep 04 '15 at 20:22
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I’ve adjusted my answer. I hope you find it useful. – fission Sep 08 '15 at 07:34
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Upvote for accepting IExpress isn't really a suitable tool for 'real' installers. – Christopher Painter Sep 12 '15 at 19:51

How to create an installer of a browser-based system?

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