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JavaWorld.com > Java Development Tools >

Tools of the trade, Part 3

Install your Java programs with InstallAnywhere

By Jeff Friesen, JavaWorld.com, 01/03/03

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Page 3 of 6

Note
Lines.java's main(String [] args) method differs (which I document in the source code) from the equivalent method in my first column's Hybrid program. (See Listing 5 in "Applications, Applets, and Hybrids.") Lines.java's main(String [] args) method is slightly more efficient than the previous version and can display both GUIs (graphical user interfaces) and animated graphics. The previous version could not display animated graphics.


Build an installer with the Project Wizard

Use InstallAnywhere's Project Wizard to build a first installer for the Lines application. To access the Project Wizard, click the OK button on InstallAnywhere's startup window. In response, Project Wizard's New Project window appears.

Figure 1 reveals that window's purpose: create a new project or open an existing project.

 
 
 
 
 

Figure 1. Use the Project Wizard's New Project window to either create a new project or open an existing project. Click on thumbnail to view full-size image.

Tip
Complete the following steps for InstallAnywhere to enter the Advanced Designer instead of the Project Wizard from the startup window:

  1. Click the Preferences button on the startup window
  2. From the InstallAnywhere Preferences dialog box, select the Advanced Designer radio button in the InstallAnywhere Startup section of the General Settings tab
  3. Click the OK button


The next time you start InstallAnywhere, its startup window takes you to the Advanced Designer.


Because we need to create a Lines project, click the New Project window's Save As button. In response, InstallAnywhere displays a Save New Project As dialog box that lets us specify the project folder and filename. Figure 2 identifies my choices: a c:\projects\Lines folder and a Lines.iap_xml project filename. Click the Save button and InstallAnywhere creates the specified folder (if it doesn't exist). InstallAnywhere (eventually) places Lines.iap_xml into that folder.

Figure 2. Use the Save New Project As dialog box to specify the project folder and filename

Click the Next button on the New Project window and the Set Info window appears. That window specifies Product Name, Installer Name, Installer Folder Name, and Application & Shortcut Name text fields. Product Name identifies an installer product. That field's text appears in an installer's title bar during installation. Installer Name identifies the name of the installer file (which is an EXE under Windows). Installer Folder identifies the folder into which the application installs. Finally, Application & Shortcut Name identifies the name of the application and its shortcut icon (under Windows). Except for Installer Name (which defaults to displaying install), each text field defaults to displaying the project filename (less file extension .iap_xml). I chose to override most of these settings: Graphical Lines Application for Product Name, GLA for Installer Name, and GLA for Installer Folder Name.

Click the Next button on the Set Info window and the Add Files window appears. Use that window's Add Files button to add an application's files to an installer. All added files appear in that window's File/Folder hierarchy, as Figure 3 reveals.

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