cnjinlong. With a redistributable automation interface, you can simply call the InstallAware library functions and let InstallAware do what its best at building setups while you get to focus on your core expertise. When building the installers for these various editions, instead of coding multiple scripts for each, you would rather code and maintain a single script. Coupled with the redistributable command line build interface that is provided with higher-end InstallAware editions, compiler variables may also be used to create customized installation packages directly on end-user systems again without having to use the automation interface to programmatically emit full setup projects from scratch.Compiler variables, and their values, are defined in the Project Options window.Compiler VariablesThere may also be cases in which you need to customize your installers but not as thoroughly as needing to use the automation interface. Along with the canonical MessageBox command that can be used to output values of variables to the screen, InstallAware 7 provides a visual, integrated debugger right within the main IDE.

The run group on the MSIcode tab contains all the debugging commands you need: Start debugging Step through MSIcode line by line End a debug session Add variable watches Set breakpoints on MSIcode statementsYou may also override the values of variables while in a debugging session to test alternate routes of program flow. There are countless other uses for this technology. In this case, using the automation interface would be overkill another way to China Embroidery machine parts Wholesalers quickly customize the script becomes necessary. Then they would click a "Build Installer" button which would immediately invoke the InstallAware automation interface, emit and build their setup, and deliver the download link. The automation interface also provides an ASP object which can be called from an Active Server Pages website a home made installer for the screen savers produced would be a major undertaking.Compiler variables are resolved at build time, and let you achieve the following: Include or exclude various parts of MSIcode based on compiler variable values Substitute compiler variables used in MSIcode commands with their literal valuesContinuing our example with the various editions, you could use Compiler Variable If statements to conditionally include/exclude parts of your MSIcode, and hence, application files, based on the product edition. Developing The values specified in the Project Options window may also be overridden while building from the command line, or via the automation interface. Some InstallAware licenses even permit you to redistribute the automation libraries, so you can emit and build installers directly on end-user systems! For instance, consider a screen saver creator application each screen saver it generates would also need an installer. Any time you updated your software to a newer version, you wouldn't have to worry about manually updating the many installers for your resellers either!

You'd just let them know that you have a newer version available, and they could all log on to their accounts and generate their personalized installers all delivered by the InstallAware automation interface. You could also use compiler variables directly in MSIcode commands for build time substitution of their values into the script (such as, the edition name). For instance, you may have several editions for a product, each with progressively more features and higher prices.Integrated DebuggingDespite the beauty and power of MSIcode, or perhaps because of it, the need to debug the scripts you have developed in InstallAware will arise sooner or later.The InstallAware Customer Site, which vends licenses to developers who have purchased InstallAware, uses the automation interface to create watermarked installers that contain the name of the individual or organization that purchased the license.This is just one example for a case where InstallAware automation takes a major burden off of your shoulders.The automation interface is cleanly encapsulated inside Win32 DLLs which can be called from any Windows programming language