Re: [WiX-users] Interviewing an installation developer

[Wilson, P. <Phi...@wo...>]

They tend to trigger AV software, for one thing, because their engines often hook into script activity. My observation of many VBScripts I've seen is that they're often a lot sloppier than "real" programming. For example, the majority of VBScript custom actions I've seen all contain "On Error Resume Next" and go full speed ahead. Such gems as this: 

On Error Resume Next
.....
Do while oexec.status=0
   Wscript.sleep 100
Loop

Yes I know people can write sloppy code in any language, but VBScript seems to encourage it. 

Phil Wilson 

-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Walker [mailto:Mat...@sy...] 
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 11:00 AM
To: General discussion for Windows Installer XML toolset.
Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Interviewing an installation developer

Why are Custom Actions in VBScript a warning sign?

-----Original Message-----
From: MikeR [mailto:mic...@gm...] 
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 1:44 PM
To: wix...@li...
Subject: Re: [WiX-users] Interviewing an installation developer


The excerise of writing a simple install would probably be fine, though
I'm
not sure it is necessary.  I do agree that knowing the nuts and bolts of
Windows Installer is key and knowing what tables/actions do what is
critical.  The one potential problem I could see with having them author
a
small install on the spot is tool knowledge.  Knowing Windows Installer
itself is more important than knowing WiX, InstallShield, Wise,
InstallAware, etc.  Learning the concepts and best practices around
Windows
Installer is more difficult than learning how to use any particular
tool.

I would be sure to inquire about common issues with Windows Installer
where
people run into trouble or aspects of Windows Installer that are not
intuitive and would require some real hands-on experience to know off
the
top of your head.  Here is a short list of things I'd ask about.

1. Windows Installer component rules, feature/component structure
2. How Windows Installer handles upgrades and patches, making sure they
know
how FindRelatedProducts and RemoveExistingProducts actions and the
Upgrade
table work.  Understanding how MSPs and therefore MSTs work to augment
MSIs,
etc.  This relates back to #1 because if you don't follow proper
component
rules you frequently get burned when it comes time to upgrade/patch.
3. Understanding the general sequencing of how an MSI installs, knowing
when
to schedule custom actions in immediate/deferred mode and understanding
when
you should be making system changes and what property access is
available,
use of CustomActionData, commit/rollback actions, etc.
4.  Also when it comes to custom actions the only good methods are C++
DLLs
or DTF with C#.  If you expect this person to write the custom actions
for
your installs they are going to need at least some basic programming
skills
in one of these two languages because anything beyond the most basic of
installs is going to require custom action work.  If your candidate is a
proponent of writing custom actions in VBScript/Javascript take that as
a
warning sign.

There's probably some other problematic areas escaping me at the moment
but
those are the big ones.  I worked in Wise's tech support back when
Windows
Installer was starting to take over Windows setup development and from
my
experience there I can assure you that the three key areas where people
ran
into problems with Windows Installer were upgrades, custom actions and
following proper component rules.  If a candidate has a solid
understanding
of those areas and can speak about them intelligently that's a very
strong
starting point.

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