Fellow VB Programmers,
Some of you may be aware of a freeware (open-source) software package called "Inno Setup" (If not http://www.jordanr.dhs.org ) Anyway, for those who do you will be aware that the interface could be a bit friendlier for VB users.
I'm considering a VB add-in frontend so you can have your project compiled to a setup exe without that annoying package deployment wizard.
Inno compiles to a single EXE
Compresses better than winzip to an exe
registers ocx's and dlls
writes multiple icons
has a decent setup interface
allow addition of registry values to be written
but you have to write you're own script and figure out for yourself what you're app needs in the way of dlls and ocxs. This info is in the VB .VPB project file however and can be read. The script can be automated AND Inno can compile the script with command line params.
I have emailed the author of Inno to verify permission but as his code is free even for commercial use I see no problem. I plan to make this available to all at no cost of course keeping in line with the intentions of the author of Inno.
So I was thinking of a VB Open Source Project and was wondering who was interested. If you are, before you email me please do the following:
1. Get the software and use it. make a VB project of yours work with it so you know what your doing
2. Open a few of your .vbp file in notepad and see the data. (object tags etc)
Sam, Kedaman, Steve? You guys are regulars that I see here often and know are proficient, If you're busy or have a professional install package already I understand but I'd appreciate your input. I have the BCB light versions of Wise and Install shield but they are a little limited.
I think this will help everyone here.
If you think this is a waste of time for some reason or can think of a better solution along this line (or know of someone whose already done it) please voice your opinions.
I intend to plan this before a single line of code is written. (For those who have read 'Code Complete' you'll know the atmostphere here is sometimes a little hackish (plan as you go mentality) ).
If you have feature ideas let me know as once the coding starts new feature get left out till next version (if there is one)
Paul Dwyer
