MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper for msi installer packages and .NET Framework

Reviewed: 0.5a DemoSetup.exe (Example) (Aug 04, 2009)

breyed — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:28:02 GMT

Rated 1 Stars (out of 5) - Crashed on startup. Then, the VersionInfo for the crash report was wrong.

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:56:54 GMT

Project Description
MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper is a library to build lightweight bootstrappers for MSI installations. It encapsulates all information into one setup.exe file (resources in a compressed form) and makes it easy to detect and download a missing .NET Framework. It is developed in C++.

Features

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file. See Embedded ZIP file resources
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C

Demo Bootstrapper
The project contains a demo bootstrapper based on our project "MSE-iT maxi", which is a good start for own projects.

Usage
Your own bootstrapper links against the bootstrapper library. The demo bootstrapper shows the possibilities of the library. You can copy the code out of the demo bootstrapper to build your own.

Requirements

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Copyright
Copyright (C) 2008 by MSE-iT, Hauptstrasse 32, 88427 Bad Schussenried, Germany
and the creators of the public domain and freeware parts as labeled in source code.

License
This project is not Public Domain or Freeware! This project is licensed under GPLv2. To use this project under this license, your project source code (the code of your bootstrapper) must be downloadable or obtainable via physical media. Even when you only link against the libraries of this project. Not sure what that means? Check this: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-violation.html Kindly report violations to: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

If your project don't meet this license criteria and you don't want to publish your bootstrappers source code, you need a proprietary license. Feel free to contact us for a proprietary license at: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

Documentation

Roadmap

Relevance
There are plenty of bootstrappers for the .NET Framework, MDAC, SQL Server Express and so on. Why developing another one? Almost all of this bootstrappers are scripted or configured and have less possibilities to be customized. For our own projects we want to have a fully programmable bootstrapper as a solid setup.exe file, because we have special needs. With this framework you have complete control over the bootstrap process on WIN32/MFC/C++ level. For most bootstrappers this is not necessary and it is better to use a configurable one. One thing, before you post a comment: I've programmed DLLs (plugins) for the common installation builders (e.g. InstallShield™, Wise™, SetupFactory™), and i know that this is possible. But it is a waste of time. If you are capable to program a DLL with C++, you are capable to program the whole bootstrapper in C++ with this framework in less time.

Origin
Our new travel agency accounting software (MSE-iT maxi) is based on the .NET Framework and is a client/server application. The installer is developed with Windows Installer XML. We need a compact bootstrapper which was ale to download and install missing parts (.NET framework, SQL Server Express) on demand. It is also a requirement to check if our app server is already running in the local network and start a client setup or a server setup if not. We got C++ knowledge from our projects, so it was a good idea to develop this bootstrapper in C++.

Links
Project Description
MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper is a library to build lightweight bootstrappers for MSI installations. It encapsulates all information into one setup.exe file (resources in a compressed form) and makes it easy to detect and download a missing .NET Framework. It is developed in C++.

Usage
This framework is a base for other upgradeable persistence frameworks and solutions. It brings a uniform upgrade attribute tagging to the .NET framework and is basic for backup and synchronization issues.

Links
Maintained by MSE-iT Travel Agency Software (Reisebürosoftware)
MSE-iT Software Development Blog
.NET Framework and Open Source Software Development on Maierhofer Software

Project Urls
http://www.codeplex.com/MseItSetupBootstrap/
http://www.codeplex.com/MseItSetupBootstrap
http://mseitsetupbootstrap.codeplex.com/

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:31:41 GMT

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file. See Embedded ZIP file resources
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Copyright
Copyright (C) 2008 by MSE-iT, Hauptstrasse 32, 88427 Bad Schussenried, Germany
and the creators of the public domain and freeware parts as labeled in source code.

License
This project is not Public Domain or Freeware! This project is licensed under GPLv2. To use this project under this license, your project source code (the code of your bootstrapper) must be downloadable or obtainable via physical media. Even when you only link against the libraries of this project. Not sure what that means? Check this: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-violation.html Kindly report violations to: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

If your project don't meet this license criteria and you don't want to publish your bootstrappers source code, you need a proprietary license. Feel free to contact us for a proprietary license at: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

Documentation

Roadmap

Relevance
There are plenty of bootstrappers for the .NET Framework, MDAC, SQL Server Express and so on. Why developing another one? Almost all of this bootstrappers are scripted or configured and have less possibilities to be customized. For our own projects we want to have a fully programmable bootstrapper as a solid setup.exe file, because we have special needs. With this framework you have complete control over the bootstrap process on WIN32/MFC/C++ level. For most bootstrappers this is not necessary and it is better to use a configurable one. One thing, before you post a comment: I've programmed DLLs (plugins) for the common installation builders (e.g. InstallShield™, Wise™, SetupFactory™), and i know that this is possible. But it is a waste of time. If you are capable to program a DLL with C++, you are capable to program the whole bootstrapper in C++ with this framework in less time.

Origin
Our new travel agency accounting software (MSE-iT maxi) is based on the .NET Framework and is a client/server application. The installer is developed with Windows Installer XML. We need a compact bootstrapper which was ale to download and install missing parts (.NET framework, SQL Server Express) on demand. It is also a requirement to check if our app server is already running in the local network and start a client setup or a server setup if not. We got C++ knowledge from our projects, so it was a good idea to develop this bootstrapper in C++.

Links
Project Description
MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper is a library to build lightweight bootstrappers for MSI installations. It encapsulates all information into one setup.exe file (resources in a compressed form) and makes it easy to detect and download a missing .NET Framework. It is developed in C++.

Usage
This framework is a base for other upgradeable persistence frameworks and solutions. It brings a uniform upgrade attribute tagging to the .NET framework and is basic for backup and synchronization issues.

Links
Maintained by MSE-iT Travel Agency Software (Reisebürosoftware)
MSE-iT Software Developement Blog
http://www.maierhofer.de/Open-Source-GPL-CSharp.htm

Project Urls
http://www.codeplex.com/MseItSetupBootstrap/
http://www.codeplex.com/MseItSetupBootstrap
http://mseitsetupbootstrap.codeplex.com/

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:28:13 GMT

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file. See Embedded ZIP file resources
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Copyright
Copyright (C) 2008 by MSE-iT, Hauptstrasse 32, 88427 Bad Schussenried, Germany
and the creators of the public domain and freeware parts as labeled in source code.

License
This project is not Public Domain or Freeware! This project is licensed under GPLv2. To use this project under this license, your project source code (the code of your bootstrapper) must be downloadable or obtainable via physical media. Even when you only link against the libraries of this project. Not sure what that means? Check this: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-violation.html Kindly report violations to: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

If your project don't meet this license criteria and you don't want to publish your bootstrappers source code, you need a proprietary license. Feel free to contact us for a proprietary license at: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

Documentation

Roadmap

Relevance
There are plenty of bootstrappers for the .NET Framework, MDAC, SQL Server Express and so on. Why developing another one? Almost all of this bootstrappers are scripted or configured and have less possibilities to be customized. For our own projects we want to have a fully programmable bootstrapper as a solid setup.exe file, because we have special needs. With this framework you have complete control over the bootstrap process on WIN32/MFC/C++ level. For most bootstrappers this is not necessary and it is better to use a configurable one. One thing, before you post a comment: I've programmed DLLs (plugins) for the common installation builders (e.g. InstallShield™, Wise™, SetupFactory™), and i know that this is possible. But it is a waste of time. If you are capable to program a DLL with C++, you are capable to program the whole bootstrapper in C++ with this framework in less time.

Origin
Our new travel agency accounting software (MSE-iT maxi) is based on the .NET Framework and is a client/server application. The installer is developed with Windows Installer XML. We need a compact bootstrapper which was ale to download and install missing parts (.NET framework, SQL Server Express) on demand. It is also a requirement to check if our app server is already running in the local network and start a client setup or a server setup if not. We got C++ knowledge from our projects, so it was a good idea to develop this bootstrapper in C++.

Links
Project Description
MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper is a library to build lightweight bootstrappers for MSI installations. It encapsulates all information into one setup.exe file (resources in a compressed form) and makes it easy to detect and download a missing .NET Framework. It is developed in C++.

Usage
This framework is a base for other upgradeable persistence frameworks and solutions. It brings a uniform upgrade attribute tagging to the .NET framework and is basic for backup and synchronization issues.

Links
http://www.mse-it.de/ Sponsored by MSE-iT Reisebürosoftware
http://blog.mse-it.de/ MSe-iT Software Developement Blog
http://www.maierhofer.de/Open-Source-GPL-CSharp.htm

Project Urls
http://www.codeplex.com/MseItSetupBootstrap/
http://www.codeplex.com/MseItSetupBootstrap
http://mseitsetupbootstrap.codeplex.com/

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:25:42 GMT

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file. See Embedded ZIP file resources
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C++

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Copyright
Copyright (C) 2008 by MSE-iT, Hauptstrasse 32, 88427 Bad Schussenried, Germany
and the creators of the public domain and freeware parts as labeled in source code.

License
This project is not Public Domain or Freeware! This project is licensed under GPLv2. To use this project under this license, your project source code (the code of your bootstrapper) must be downloadable or obtainable via physical media. Even when you only link against the libraries of this project. Not sure what that means? Check this: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-violation.html Kindly report violations to: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

If your project don't meet this license criteria and you don't want to publish your bootstrappers source code, you need a proprietary license. Feel free to contact us for a proprietary license at: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

Documentation

Roadmap

Relevance
There are plenty of bootstrappers for the .NET Framework, MDAC, SQL Server Express and so on. Why developing another one? Almost all of this bootstrappers are scripted or configured and have less possibilities to be customized. For our own projects we want to have a fully programmable bootstrapper as a solid setup.exe file, because we have special needs. With this framework you have complete control over the bootstrap process on WIN32/MFC/C++ level. For most bootstrappers this is not necessary and it is better to use a configurable one. One thing, before you post a comment: I've programmed DLLs (plugins) for the common installation builders (e.g. InstallShield™, Wise™, SetupFactory™), and i know that this is possible. But it is a waste of time. If you are capable to program a DLL with C++, you are capable to program the whole bootstrapper in C++ with this framework in less time.

Origin
Our new travel agency accounting software (MSE-iT maxi) is based on the .NET Framework and is a client/server application. The installer is developed with Windows Installer XML. We need a compact bootstrapper which was ale to download and install missing parts (.NET framework, SQL Server Express) on demand. It is also a requirement to check if our app server is already running in the local network and start a client setup or a server setup if not. We got C++ knowledge from our projects, so it was a good idea to develop this bootstrapper in C++.

Links
Project Description
MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper is a library to build lightweight bootstrappers for MSI installations. It encapsulates all information into one setup.exe file (resources in a compressed form) and makes it easy to detect and download a missing .NET Framework. It is developed in C++.

Usage
This framework is a base for other upgradeable persistence frameworks and solutions. It brings a uniform upgrade attribute tagging to the .NET framework and is basic for backup and synchronization issues.

Links
http://www.mse-it.de/
http://blog.mse-it.de/
http://www.maierhofer.de/Open-Source-GPL-CSharp.htm

Project Urls
http://www.codeplex.com/MseItSetupBootstrap/
http://www.codeplex.com/MseItSetupBootstrap
http://mseitsetupbootstrap.codeplex.com/

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:33:39 GMT

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file. See Embedded ZIP file resources
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C++

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Copyright
Copyright (C) 2008 by MSE-iT, Hauptstrasse 32, 88427 Bad Schussenried, Germany
and the creators of the public domain and freeware parts as labeled in source code.

License
This project is not Public Domain or Freeware! This project is licensed under GPLv2. To use this project under this license, your project source code (the code of your bootstrapper) must be downloadable or obtainable via physical media. Even when you only link against the libraries of this project. Not sure what that means? Check this: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-violation.html Kindly report violations to: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

If your project don't meet this license criteria and you don't want to publish your bootstrappers source code, you need a proprietary license. Feel free to contact us for a proprietary license at: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

Documentation

Roadmap

Relevance
There are plenty of bootstrappers for the .NET Framework, MDAC, SQL Server Express and so on. Why developing another one? Almost all of this bootstrappers are scripted or configured and have less possibilities to be customized. For our own projects we want to have a fully programmable bootstrapper as a solid setup.exe file, because we have special needs. With this framework you have complete control over the bootstrap process on WIN32/MFC/C++ level. For most bootstrappers this is not necessary and it is better to use a configurable one. One thing, before you post a comment: I've programmed DLLs (plugins) for the common installation builders (e.g. InstallShield™, Wise™, SetupFactory™), and i know that this is possible. But it is a waste of time. If you are capable to program a DLL with C++, you are capable to program the whole bootstrapper in C++ with this framework in less time.

Origin
Our new travel agency accounting software (MSE-iT maxi) is based on the .NET Framework and is a client/server application. The installer is developed with Windows Installer XML. We need a compact bootstrapper which was ale to download and install missing parts (.NET framework, SQL Server Express) on demand. It is also a requirement to check if our app server is already running in the local network and start a client setup or a server setup if not. We got C++ knowledge from our projects, so it was a good idea to develop this bootstrapper in C++.

Links
Project Description
MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper is a library to build lightweight bootstrappers for MSI installations. It encapsulates all information into one setup.exe file (resources in a compressed form) and makes it easy to detect and download a missing .NET Framework. It is developed in C++.

Usage
This framework is a base for other upgradeable persistence frameworks and solutions. It brings a uniform upgrade attribute tagging to the .NET framework and is basic for backup and synchronization issues.

Links
http://blog.mse-it.de/
http://www.maierhofer.de/Open-Source-GPL-CSharp.htm

Project Interlinking
http://www.codeplex.com/MseItSetupBootstrap/
http://www.codeplex.com/MseItSetupBootstrap

Updated Wiki: Roadmap

ThomasMaierhofer — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:40:23 GMT

Roadmap

Long Term

Continues integration testing of setups via VMWare Workstation API

Next Steps
In Dec 2008

Finishing the ground structure
Adding .NET 3.5 installer from our proprietary bootstrapper
Adding SQL Server Express installer from our proprietary bootstrapper
completing documentation wiki
Releasing first beta

Done
2008-12-05:

Adding support for 32 Bitmaps with alpha channel for memory saving overlays
removing simple transparancy
releasing demo app (alpha)

2008-12-02:

Ground structure is ported from our proprietary bootstrapper
Wizard Dialog and Wizard page interface redesigned
Handling of transparency added.

Source code checked in, #29346

boxoft — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:43:56 GMT

- BUG: Cannot build "DemoSetup". VS2008 SP1, Windows XP SP3 Chinese edition.

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:54:07 GMT

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file. See Embedded ZIP file resources
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C++

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Copyright
Copyright (C) 2008 by MSE-iT, Hauptstrasse 32, 88427 Bad Schussenried, Germany
and the creators of the public domain and freeware parts as labeled in source code.

License
This project is not Public Domain or Freeware! This project is licensed under GPLv2. To use this project under this license, your project source code (the code of your bootstrapper) must be downloadable or obtainable via physical media. Even when you only link against the libraries of this project. Not sure what that means? Check this: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-violation.html Kindly report violations to: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

If your project don't meet this license criteria and you don't want to publish your bootstrappers source code, you need a proprietary license. Feel free to contact us for a proprietary license at: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

Documentation

Roadmap

Relevance
There are plenty of bootstrappers for the .NET Framework, MDAC, SQL Server Express and so on. Why developing another one? Almost all of this bootstrappers are scripted or configured and have less possibilities to be customized. For our own projects we want to have a fully programmable bootstrapper as a solid setup.exe file, because we have special needs. With this framework you have complete control over the bootstrap process on WIN32/MFC/C++ level. For most bootstrappers this is not necessary and it is better to use a configurable one. One thing, before you post a comment: I've programmed DLLs (plugins) for the common installation builders (e.g. InstallShield™, Wise™, SetupFactory™), and i know that this is possible. But it is a waste of time. If you are capable to program a DLL with C++, you are capable to program the whole bootstrapper in C++ with this framework in less time.

Origin
Our new travel agency accounting software (MSE-iT maxi) is based on the .NET Framework and is a client/server application. The installer is developed with Windows Installer XML. We need a compact bootstrapper which was ale to download and install missing parts (.NET framework, SQL Server Express) on demand. It is also a requirement to check if our app server is already running in the local network and start a client setup or a server setup if not. We got C++ knowledge from our projects, so it was a good idea to develop this bootstrapper in C++.

Links
Project Description
MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper is a library to build lightweight bootstrappers for MSI installations. It encapsulates all information into one setup.exe file (resources in a compressed form) and makes it easy to detect and download a missing .NET Framework. It is developed in C++.

Usage
This framework is a base for other upgradeable persistence frameworks and solutions. It brings a uniform upgrade attribute tagging to the .NET framework and is basic for backup and synchronization issues.

Links
http://blog.mse-it.de/
http://www.maierhofer.de/Open-Source-GPL-CSharp.htm

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:26:45 GMT

Project Description
MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper (setup.exe) is a lightweight exe to bootstrap MSI and other installations. It encapsulates all information into one setup.exe file (resources in a compressed form) and makes it easy to detect and download a missing .NET Framework. It is developed in C++.

Features

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file. See Embedded ZIP file resources
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C++

Usage
Adapt it to your own needs. Compile and deploy a lightweight SETUP.EXE for your .NET application installations. If you have special needs on your bootstrapper and don't want to develop it yourself: Feel free to contact us, we can do the job for you!

Requirements

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Demo Bootstrapper
The project contains a demo bootstrapper based on our project "MSE-iT maxi", which is a good start for own projects.

Copyright
Copyright (C) 2008 by MSE-iT, Hauptstrasse 32, 88427 Bad Schussenried, Germany
and the creators of the public domain and freeware parts as labeled in source code.

License
This project is not Public Domain or Freeware! This project is licensed under GPLv2. To use this project under this license, your project source code (the code of your bootstrapper) must be downloadable or obtainable via physical media. Even when you only link against the libraries of this project. Not sure what that means? Check this: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-violation.html Kindly report violations to: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

If your project don't meet this license criteria and you don't want to publish your bootstrappers source code, you need a proprietary license. Feel free to contact us for a proprietary license at: thomas (at) maierhofer.de

Documentation

Roadmap

Relevance
There are plenty of bootstrappers for the .NET Framework, MDAC, SQL Server Express and so on. Why developing another one? Almost all of this bootstrappers are scripted or configured and have less possibilities to be customized. For our own projects we want to have a fully programmable bootstrapper as a solid setup.exe file, because we have special needs. With this framework you have complete control over the bootstrap process on WIN32/MFC/C++ level. For most bootstrappers this is not necessary and it is better to use a configurable one. One thing, before you post a comment: I've programmed DLLs (plugins) for the common installation builders (e.g. InstallShield™, Wise™, SetupFactory™), and i know that this is possible. But it is a waste of time. If you are capable to program a DLL with C++, you are capable to program the whole bootstrapper in C++ with this framework in less time.

Origin
Our new travel agency accounting software (MSE-iT maxi) is based on the .NET Framework and is a client/server application. The installer is developed with Windows Installer XML. We need a compact bootstrapper which was ale to download and install missing parts (.NET framework, SQL Server Express) on demand. It is also a requirement to check if our app server is already running in the local network and start a client setup or a server setup if not. We got C++ knowledge from our projects, so it was a good idea to develop this bootstrapper in C++.

Links
Project Description
MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper (setup.exe) is a lightweight exe to bootstrap MSI and other installations. It encapsulates all information into one setup.exe file (resources in a compressed form) and makes it easy to detect and download a missing .NET Framework. It is developed in C++.

Usage
This framework is a base for other upgradeable persistence frameworks and solutions. It brings a uniform upgrade attribute tagging to the .NET framework and is basic for backup and synchronization issues.

Links
http://blog.mse-it.de/
http://www.maierhofer.de/Open-Source-GPL-CSharp.htm

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:10:19 GMT

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file. See Embedded ZIP file resources
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C++

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Demo Bootstrapper
The project contains a demo bootstrapper based on our project "MSE-iT maxi", which is a good start for own projects.

License
This project is licensed under GNUv2. If you need a proprietary license, feel free to contact us.

Documentation

Roadmap

Relevance
There are plenty of bootstrappers for the .NET Framework, MDAC, SQL Server Express and so on. Why developing another one? Almost all of this bootstrappers are scripted or configured and have less possibilities to be customized. For our own projects we want to have a fully programmable bootstrapper as a solid setup.exe file, because we have special needs. With this framework you have complete control over the bootstrap process on WIN32/MFC/C++ level. For most bootstrappers this is not necessary and it is better to use a configurable one. One thing, before you post a comment: I've programmed DLLs (plugins) for the common installation builders (e.g. InstallShield™, Wise™, SetupFactory™), and i know that this is possible. But it is a waste of time. If you are capable to program a DLL with C++, you are capable to program the whole bootstrapper in C++ with this framework in less time.

Origin
Our new travel agency accounting software (MSE-iT maxi) is based on the .NET Framework and is a client/server application. The installer is developed with Windows Installer XML. We need a compact bootstrapper which was ale to download and install missing parts (.NET framework, SQL Server Express) on demand. It is also a requirement to check if our app server is already running in the local network and start a client setup or a server setup if not. We got C++ knowledge from our projects, so it was a good idea to develop this bootstrapper in C++.

Links
Project Description
MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper (setup.exe) is a lightweight exe to bootstrap MSI and other installations. It encapsulates all information into one setup.exe file (resources in a compressed form) and makes it easy to detect and download a missing .NET Framework. It is developed in C++.

Usage
This framework is a base for other upgradeable persistence frameworks and solutions. It brings a uniform upgrade attribute tagging to the .NET framework and is basic for backup and synchronization issues.

Links
http://blog.mse-it.de/
http://www.maierhofer.de/Open-Source-GPL-CSharp.htm

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:08:58 GMT

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file. See Embedded ZIP file resources
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C++

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:49:05 GMT

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file. See Embedded ZIP file resources
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C++

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Updated Wiki: embedded ZIP file resources

ThomasMaierhofer — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:48:00 GMT

Embedded ZIP file resources

The bootstrapper must contain a zip file as a embedded resource. This allows to store strings and bitmaps in a compressed form. It is easy maintainalbe with standard software like compressed folders in Windows XP and Windows Vista.

The ZIP resource must be attached to the library:
CSetupApp::SetupApp->AttachZipResource( IDR_RCDATA1 );

Localized Resources

The process of localizing goes like this:

CSetupApp::SetupApp->SetNeutralLanguagePrefix("EN");
CSetupApp::SetupApp->SetLanguagePrefix("DE")
CSetupApp::SetupApp->GetLocalizedBitmapResource("Welcome.bmp");

GetLocalizedBitmapResource will look after a file called "DE-Welcome.bmp" (Language Prefix DE) in the embedded ZIP file. If not found it will look after "EN-Welcome.bmp" (Neutral Language Prefix EN). if this is not found it will return 0.

To localize a resource, add the resource with the correct prefix. The naming schema is PREFIX-FILENAME.

Message String Resources

Every bootstrapper must have a lot of message strings for message boxes and wizard pages. Don't store them as regular resources. They can be in the embedded zip file.

Background Bitmap Resources

Bitmaps can be extremely compressed. Bitmaps for backgrounds have an additional feature to save size: transparency.

Updated Wiki: Documentation

ThomasMaierhofer — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:31:08 GMT

Documentation

General

The MSE-iT Setup Bootstrapper isn't an scriptable bootstrapper. It is written in C++ and must be customized in C++ and compiled. Then you will get a solid EXE. Space consuming resources are compressed and embedded as a binary resource (RCDATA). the embedded resource is a standard zip file, so the needed resources (text, rtf and bitmap files) can be assembled with generally available software. The bootstrapper don't create any temp folder by default and is started as a single process. It solely depends on you if you want to create a temp folder or store something in the embedded zip file. The Setup bootstrapper is a MFC application with static linked MFC libraries. It is not the smallest, and zip compression is not the best out there. But this embedded zip file can be easily created and maintained, and a solid MFC application gives you all possibilities on a windows system.

Setup dialog and wizard page design

First of all: Dont store any strings in your resources, store them in the embedded Resources.zip file. Strings are compressed in this file and can be easily localized. Leave your strings for buttons or whatever you may create in you pages empty!

Setup Dialog

The Setup dialog is derived from CWizardDialog, edit this in your dialog header, if creating from scratch.
Don't forget to Change: BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CYourDialog, CWizardDialog)
The Setup dialog contains following resources:

The Dialog itself
A wizard back button with ID_WIZBACK
A wizard next button with ID_WIZNEXT
A cancel setup button with IDCANCEL
A finish setup button with IDOK
a ownderdraw picture as a container for the pages with ID_SHEETRECT (recommended)

Wizzard Page

The setup page is derived from CWizardPage, edit this in your page header if creating from scratch.
Don't forget to Change: BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(CYourPage, CWizardPage)

A page don't contain any resources by default, it is up to you what you want to see in the page
A Page must have the Styles: WS_CHILD, WS_DISABLED
A Page mustn't have the Styles: WS_BORDER

Maybe you will change the dialog font to Tahoma 9pt

embedded ZIP file resources

Space consuming resources are stored in a embedded ZIP file. This ZIP file i a standard zip file (compressed folder in Vista and XP). It is embedded as a RCDATA resource and can be accessed during the bootstrapping process. The operations are designed to work "in memory", so files are not extracted to harddisk.

Updated Wiki: Home

ThomasMaierhofer — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:40:49 GMT

Single SETUP.EXE for web deployment, doesn't unzip and start second process (except of installers for prerequisites, they are started as a matter of course).
easy localization to any language, English and German included.
embedded resources (txt and rtf, bitmaps,...) are compressed and can be build as a standard zip file.
four layer background bitmaps (dialog, dialog localized, page, page localized) for space saving. See Background Bitmap Resources
detection of missing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
detection of missing Microsoft SQL Server Express, download from a web server or directly from Microsoft
rich text for wizard text and licenses, can be created as standard RTF files via WordPad, keeps the footprint small, in contrast to bitmaps.
advertising during installation via slides based on RTF files (with embedded bitmaps, if you want)
small footprint, less than 300 KB without bitmaps and RTF files. Complete SETUP.EXE about 700K-1M (depends on advertising and resources). Fast download and immediate start.
can download special versions (e.g. for client / server installs, different languages, ...) of your Microsoft installer files (MSI) and start the correct installation.
customizable using C++

Runs on Windows 98 and later (on Windows 95, if 32bit alpha bitmaps aren't used)
Runs on Windows NT 3.1 and later

Updated Wiki: Background Bitmap Resources

ThomasMaierhofer — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:37:07 GMT

Background Bitmap Resources

The Bootstrapper displays a wizard as a standard (MSI) installer will. The displayed background can be assembled of four bitmaps overlaying each other. Only draw the changes at each layer, what is best for compression and keeps the bootstrapper small. The bitmaps use a full featured alpha transparency. So you should provide 32bit bitmaps with alpha transparency for the overlay.

Layer stack:

Dialog Background - Background.bmp
Page Background - e.g. Welcome.bmp (sometimes it is better to provide a complete 24bit Bitmap, because it is smaller)
Dialog Background localized - EN-Background.bmp, DE-Background.bmp
Page background localized - e.g. EN-Welcome.bmp, DE-Welcome.bmp

Integration: Simply add this bitmaps to the embedded ZIP file.

Bootstrapper images for the welcome page of the Demo:
The transparency is black in this images:

Compressed size in ZIP: 4.057 Byte

Compressed size in ZIP: 55 KByte (due the complex mirroring, 41K without alpha channel)

Compressed size in ZIP: 4.532 Byte (this is needed for every additional language in the setup once)

Compressed size in ZIP: 2.252 Byte (this is needed for every additional setup per page)

Assembled Size: 4K (bitmap.bmp) + 55K (Welckome.bmp) + 4.5K (EN-Background.bmp) + 2.2K (En-Welcome.bmp) = 65,7K
Comparison with solid formats: 57K as PNG, 21K as JPG, 41K as ZIP compressed bitmap

In this scenario it wold be better to use a complete welcome.bmp 24Bit with about 41K and add the localized parts EN-Background.bmp (4.5K) and EN-Welcome.bmp (2.2K) to get a total size of 47,7K, but this is a demo how the layering works.

Localization of the setup project images in this case brings:
additional 4.5K for every new language on the localized XX-Background.bmp
additional 2.2K for every new language on the localized XX-Welcome.bmp

Localization of the bitmap with alpha layered overlays can save a lot of space in the embedded ZIP file.
Correctly optimized background images in zipped BMP Format can be even better than compressed PNG files.

Updated Wiki: Background Bitmap Resources

ThomasMaierhofer — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:34:24 GMT

Background Bitmap Resources

The Bootstrapper displays a wizard as a standard (MSI) installer will. The displayed background can be assembled of four bitmaps overlaying each other. the reason for this is, to draw only the changes at each layer, what is best for compression and keeps the bootstrapper small. The bitmaps use a full featured alpha transparency. So you should provide 32bit bitmaps with alpha transparency for the overlay.

Layer stack:

Dialog Background - Background.bmp
Page Background - e.g. Welcome.bmp
Dialog Background localized - EN-Background.bmp, DE-Background.bmp
Page background localized - e.g. EN-Welcome.bmp, DE-Welcome.bmp

Updated Wiki: Background Bitmap Resources

ThomasMaierhofer — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:32:30 GMT

Background Bitmap Resources

Layer stack:*

Dialog Background - Background.bmp
Page Background - e.g. Welcome.bmp
Dialog Background localized - EN-Background.bmp, DE-Background.bmp
Page background localized - e.g. EN-Welcome.bmp, DE-Welcome.bmp

Updated Wiki: Background Bitmap Resources

ThomasMaierhofer — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:00:07 GMT

Background Bitmap Resources

Layer stack:*

Dialog Background - Background.bmp
Page Background - e.g. Welcome.bmp
Dialog Background localized - EN-Background.bmp, DE-Background.bmp
Page background localized - e.g. EN-Welcome.bmp, DE-Welcome.bmp

Integration: Simply add this bitmaps to the embedded ZIP file.

Bootstrapper images for the welcome page of the Demo:
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