Difference between InstallScript and Basic MSI in InstallShield (Rod Maupin)
Apr 25, 2009
When you are new to InstallShield 2009 you may wonder which project type you should use, InstallScript or Basic MSI? Your decision will probably be based on your experience with installation development and how much time you have to develop your installation. I will outline the key features of each project type in order to make your decision easier.
The InstallScript language is used to control the installation in an InstallScript project. You will want to choose InstallScript if you want to exploit the following features:
The InstallScript language is easy to learn. In this project type, you can display full-screen billboards (background images). This project type makes use of the InstallScript language, which allows you to write a procedural installation rather than author a set of tables. The InstallScript installation type is easier to learn than the Basic MSI installation type. Actually, the learning curve for InstallScript is much less than that of Basic MSI. InstallScript allows you to perform actions before or after the main installation has run, meaning that InstallScript makes use of an event-driven model, which is useful if you're used to programming for Windws. You will have to work with InstallScript if you are given an existing InstallScript installation to maintain. InstallScript projects don't use the Windows Installer, which means your product can not be submitted to the Certified for Windows Vista Logo program.
Basic MSI projects use the Windows Installer service to run the installation. You will want to choose this project type for the following reasons:
You want to submit your product to the Certified For Windows Vista Logo program. One of the main requirements is that you must use the Windows Installer for your installation. You don't want to use a scripting language for your installation. You have to work with Basic MSI if you are given an existing Basic MSI installation to maintain. You want to maximize compatibility with administrative tools such as Microsoft SMS. Your software will be customized by system administrators prior to release. You want to create transforms for the installation. A transform is used to modify an existing installation project. There is more of a learning curve associated with learning Basic MSI installation development.
One easy way to make your decision is to ask yourself if your company wants to submit your software and installation to the Windows Vista Logo Certification program. If the answer is yes, then the decision has been made for you. You must use the Basic MSI project type as the logo program requires the use of the Windows Installer. You have no other choice. You will find that learning Basic MSI installation development has more of a learning curve, whereas InstallScript installation development is a lot easier.
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