[Msi2xml-users] RE: Msi2xml great tool but where does it store the files?

[Daniel G. <geh...@li...>]

Tobias,

Unless you use the "-b" switch on msi2xml, all binary data is stored as
a base64 encoded character stream (similar as attachments in e-mail
messages) right in the XML file.=20

The installation files are usually compressed into CAB files. These CAB
files are stored as so-called binary streams in the MSI file. MSI2XML
dumps all binary streams at the very bottom of the XML file in a table
with name "_Streams". If, however, a table exists whose name matches the
first part of the identifier of such a stream (eg. Table "Cabs", stream
id "Cabs.SomeName.cab"), then the stream will be dumped right in that
table and ommited from the _Streams table. This behavior reflects .

I usually use the "-b" switch, which does not store the data in the XML
file, which can get huge. Rather it extracts all binary data to the
specified folder and just includes a link to the data in the XML file
(href=3D"SomeName.cab"). You then can modify the data and XML2MSI will
include it in the generated MSI file.=20

As I'm writing this, I'm adding yet another option ("-c"), which not
only extracts the binary data, but also further extracts the compressed
files from the stored CABs. XML2MSI then first compresses the files into
CABs, then stores the CABs in the MSI file. This makes automating build
processes yet easier. I'll post an update later that week.

Regards,

Daniel


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tobias Eriksson [mailto:tob...@co...]
> Sent: Monday, October 28, 2002 10:19 AM
> To: geh...@li...
> Subject: Msi2xml great tool but where does it store the files?
>=20
>=20
> Hi
>  I found your tool on SourceForge and thought it was the
> greatest, as I've been browsing through the XML file, I just=20
> don't understand where the actual files are stored. So the=20
> questions is thus where in the XML are the files stored?
>=20
> Thanx for a GREAT tool
>  Tobias
>=20
> Tobias Eriksson
> ComOpt AB
> Michael L=F6fmans gata 6
> 254 38  Helsingborg, Sweden
> Direct: +46 42 389918
> Phone: +46 42 389900
> e-mail: Tob...@co...
>=20