[Installbase-devel] InstallBase

[James J. <jam...@ce...>]

I have started using the installBase program to assist in installing our
java projects for clients.  We have a series of software suites, but each
client often receives a large amount of custom development.

Due to the use of java, we use a wrapper client to help manage service style
programs to run under Unix/windows/etc.  As such we end up with a directory
structure that is more than 2 directories deep.

Extensive testing has shown that as soon as I have a group that refers to a
three deep structure, the install fails (no error appears, the log window
shows nothing and the files are not installed).  For example:

Group Name		wrapper-bin-logs
Destination Directory	<InstallDir>/wrapper/bin/logs


If I have a directory with only two levels (eg. <InstallDir>/wrapper/bin)
there is no problem.  I presume there is some hard coded behaviour in the
software in this regard, hence the problem.

The next problem I have is the ability to auto-generate groups.  I have read
comments about the idea of having multiple directories in one group and
understand the reasoning behind your current logic.  The enhancement I see
as solving other peoples issues (and my own) would be the ability to
automatically generate groups when dragging and dropping from explorer.  The
other option would be to have an import tool.  The idea would be if you had
the following structure on your hd:

	/temp/a/a.txt
	/temp/a/aa.txt
	/temp/a/b/b.txt
	/temp/a/b/b.txt
	/temp/a/c/c.txt
	/temp/a/c/d/d.txt

You could choose to import by dragging in the 'a' directory.  Specify that a
will be installed to "<InstallDir>/myDir", the default name group name is
"myDir" then tick a box to auto generate groups.  The end result would be
the following:

	Group Name		Destination Directory
	myDir			<InstallDir>/myDir
	myDir-b			<InstallDir>/myDir/b
	myDir-c			<InstallDir>/myDir/c
	myDir-c-d		<InstallDir>/myDir/c/d

With the appropriate files in the relevant groups.

In our company we tend to have complex structures, which is mainly related
to using java (with service style programs).  The above enhancement would
greatly increase our productivity.  I also believe the enhancement would
help solve peoples issues with having more than one directory under one
group.


I have also noticed data corruption on some areas if I double click to edit
the properties.  To resolve these issues only a reinstall of installBase has
fixed the problem, with the loss of all install projects.  I do not know if
the corruption corrupts on the project under which I double clicked, or all
projects (no time to test sorry).  I am running under Windows XP with
version 1.0a5.  If I get time I will try to get you further information on
this issue.

Other than the above, I do enjoy your software.  I have not had time to
investigate the scripting side of the install program, but hope to in
future.

If you have need of some assistance, then I may be able to assist in some c
development.  My background is 4gl's, c/c++, java.  Mainly dos/unix c as I
tend to work more on handheld RF systems and unix.  I have some ideas that
may improve the software and am happy to pass them along if you wish.

Regards,

James.