Depends what you're trying to achieve.
You could write a bootstrapper that parses your XML file to generate the
required properties to pass to your MSI. This would be how I would try
to achieve this because I have had "Custom Actions = very bad" drilled
into me over the years by Rob M, Bob A et al.
After parsing the XML your bootstrapper application would launch the MSI
with the appropriate properties set e.g. 'msiexec /I myInstaller.msi /qb
ADDLOCAL="feature1,feature2,feature3"' or even more simply 'msiexec /I
myInstaller.msi /qb INSTALLLEVEL=10' if you've authored your Feature
tree with appropriate Feature levels to denote the various
configurations (this assumes you have no mutually exclusive Features
however as Feature levels are hierarchical so anything with a Feature
level less than or equal to INSTALLLEVEL will be installed).
You could however use a Custom Action to do the same from within the MSI
but I personally wouldn't. If you do go down this road I would suggest
conditioning it with the 'UILevel' property so it doesn't run during a
"normal" install. See
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa372096.aspxI've not looked into it terribly much but if there is a standard way of
reading in XML to Properties you could simply Condition your Features
using those Properties. I would still add the 'UILevel' Property however
so you don't block "normal" installs. Again this could be achieved using
your own Custom Action(s) if no standard WiX Custom Action(s) exist.
Personally I'd pick this over the previous concept if I were going the
way of Custom Actions as it feels like there is less scope for problems
in the future if all your Custom Action(s) is/are doing is setting
Properties. This would also allow people to silently install your app
without the XML by setting the required Properties on the command line
which is invaluable for pushing it out using SMS/Group Policy etc (plus
you could use it to rapidly test your installs without having to modify
the XML every time). You could also roll this method using a
bootstrapper if you so wish.
Good luck.
Palbinder Sandher
Software Deployment & IT Administrator
T: +44 (0) 141 945 8500
F: +44 (0) 141 945 8501
http://www.iesve.com
**Design, Simulate + Innovate with the <Virtual Environment>**
Integrated Environmental Solutions Limited. Registered in Scotland No.
SC151456
Registered Office - Helix Building, West Of Scotland Science Park,
Glasgow G20 0SP
Email Disclaimer
-----Original Message-----
From: David McEwen [mailto:
[hidden email]]
Sent: 14 September 2009 12:27
To:
[hidden email]
Subject: [WiX-users] XML input config file
Is it possible to have a complete silent install using a XML file with
all required install configurations?
David
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let Crystal Reports handle the reporting - Free Crystal Reports 2008 30-Day
trial. Simplify your report design, integration and deployment - and focus on
what you do best, core application coding. Discover what's new with
Crystal Reports now.
http://p.sf.net/sfu/bobj-july_______________________________________________
WiX-users mailing list
[hidden email]
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wix-users
