<br>
Hi,<br>
<br>
I'm working on getting an install system together.<br>
<br>
Requirements:<br>
<br>
- The installer must help the user in getting Java installed. In an
ideal world this would mean detecting if Java is available and then
downloading the minimum needed to get a working system.<br>
- The installer must create startup icons and an uninstall system<br>
- The installer must work on windows and it would be nice if it also created installers for Mac/Debian/Fedora<br>
- The installer must be able to (optionally) package some default versions<br>
<br>
Am I missing something?<br>
<br>
Current findings:<br>
<br>
If you have several hundred dollars to spare then there is a range of commercial offerings that do everything you need.<br>
There is no free installer for Java that does JRE bundling.<br>
The closest you can get (for free) to JRE bundling is use of an exe
wrapper that will find a JRE/JDK for you and give you help in
downloadiing if one is not available.<br>
<br>
There are 2 exe wrapper creators: JSmooth and Launch4J. I am currently
trying JSmooth although if I was to start again I would probably try
Launch4J first. I've has problems with ico files with JSmooth and
development appears to have gone nowhere since 2003. Launch4J allows
optional splash screens (which we probably don't need) over JSmooth.<br>
<br>
This still leaves us with the issue of getting the files installed in
the first place. The Java based installers (IzPack and AntInstaller)
don't give the user enough help with installinig Java itself, so I'm
looking at the Nullsoft Installer System (NSIS). There are plenty of
other free native installers, including an OSS one from Microsoft on
Sourceforge, however NSIS is probably better supported and even has an
Eclipse plug-in.<br>
<br>
Joe.<br>
<br>
<br>
Summary of Installer Systems:<br>
<br>
JSmooth<br>
JSmooth is a Java Executable Wrapper that makes a standard Windows
executable binary (.exe) from a jar file. It makes java deployment much
smoother and user-friendly, as it is able to find a Java VM by itself.
When no VM is available, it provides feed-back to the users, and can
launch the default web browser to an URL that explains how to download
a Java VM. Note: NOT COMPLETELY WRITTEN IN JAVA<br>
License GNU General Public License (GPL)<br>
HomePage <a href="http://jsmooth.sourceforge.net/">http://jsmooth.sourceforge.net/</a><br>
Latest Version 0.9.7<br>
Last Update 2003<br>
Bundles JRE No, but will find Java automatically and help user download<br>
Notes Watch out for icon files that cause the exe generation to fail.<br>
<br>
Launch4J<br>
Windows native executable (.exe) java application wrapper. Offers
native splash screen, application icon, search for JRE or use bundled
one, feedback on startup failure, passes command line arguments.<br>
License GNU Library or Lesser General Public License (LGPL)<br>
HomePage <a href="http://launch4j.sourceforge.net">http://launch4j.sourceforge.net</a><br>
Latest Version 1.4.2<br>
Last Update Recent<br>
<br>
NullSoft Install System + EclipseNSIS<br>
<a href="http://eclipsensis.sourceforge.net/">http://eclipsensis.sourceforge.net/</a><br>
<br>
<br>
No help given to install Java<br>
<br>
IzPack<br>
IzPack is an installers generator for the Java platform. It produces
lightweight installers that can be run on any operating system where a
Java virtual machine is available. Depending on the operating system,
it can be launched by a double-click or a simple 'java -jar
installer.jar' on a shell. The most common use is to distribute
applications for the Java platform, but you can also use it for other
kinds of projects. The main benefit of IzPack is that it provides a
clean and unique way of distributing a project to users using different
operating systems.<br>
License ASL version 2<br>
HomePage <a href="http://www.izforge.com/izpack/">http://www.izforge.com/izpack/</a><br>
Latest Version <br>
Last Update Recent<br>
Bundles JRE No, user must have installed Java first and be able to run jar files<br>
<br>
AntInstaller<br>
AntInstaller is an installer framework which uses a simple XML file to
define the UI, and Apache Ant as a back end. The installers can
therefore do anything Ant can, and are compatible with Ant's extension
mechanism. Installers can be packaged as a selfextracting Jar and can
run from the command line or a Swing GUI. AntInstall can also be used
as a GUI front end for existing Ant builds.<br>
License ASL version 2<br>
HomePage <a href="http://antinstaller.sourceforge.net">http://antinstaller.sourceforge.net</a><br>
Latest Version 0.7.3<br>
Last Update Recent<br>
Bundles JRE No, user must have installed Java first<br>
<br>
<br>
Commercial and Too Expensive<br>
<br>
Install4j<br>
Install4j is a powerful multi-platform Java installer builder that
generates native installers and application launchers for Java
applications. install4j excels in its ease of use, its tight
integration into the target platforms and its flexible JRE management
and deployment options.<br>
License Commercial, From $400 for Pro, $800 for Ent. Educational discounts available<br>
HomePage <a href="http://www.ej-technologies.com/products/install4j/overview.html">http://www.ej-technologies.com/products/install4j/overview.html</a><br>
Latest Version 3.1<br>
Last Update Recent<br>
Bundles JRE Optional<br>
<br>
ZeroG InstallAnywhere<br>
InstallAnywhere sets the standard for multiplatform software
installation, continuing to stay far ahead of the competition by
delivering an ideal mix of power, ease of use, and functionality. By
deploying and configuring applications onto the platforms that run the
enterprise, the award-winning InstallAnywhere family has become the
preferred choice of developers worldwide.<br>
License Commercial, From about $1000<br>
HomePage <a href="http://www.zerog.com/products_ia.shtml">http://www.zerog.com/products_ia.shtml</a><br>
Latest Version 6<br>
Last Update Recent<br>
Bundles JRE Optional<br>
Notes Now does this product relate to "CodeWork InstallAnywhere"?<br>
<br>
JExpress<br>
Create international, cross platform installers and updaters for your
apps, applets, and servlets with the click of a button using JExpress.
Build sophisticated installers and updaters through the easy to use
JExpress GUI interface. Or, add customization using Java, third party
programs, and the extensive, robust JExpress Professional API.<br>
License Commercial, Costs from $200<br>
HomePage <a href="http://www.denova.com/">http://www.denova.com/</a><br>
Latest Version Unknown<br>
Last Update 2004<br>
Bundles JRE Optional<br>
<br>
Caphyon Advanced Installer<br>
Advanced Installer is a Windows Installer authoring tool which enables
developers and system administrators to easily build reliable MSI
packages that meet the latest Microsoft Windows logo certification
requirements and follow the recommended Windows Installer best
practices.<br>
License Commercial, Costs from $200<br>
HomePage <a href="http://www.advancedinstaller.com/">http://www.advancedinstaller.com/</a><br>
Latest Version Unknown<br>
Last Update Recent<br>
Bundles JRE Optional<br>
<br>
<br>
No Obvious Recent Changes (in last 2 years)<br>
<br>
Fijl<br>
FiJI is a Free Java Installer released under GPL. It enables you to
distribute your applications with easy installation : the user doesn't
have to edit lauching scripts (to modify a CLASSPATH for instance).<br>
License GNU General Public License (GPL)<br>
HomePage <a href="http://www.xenonsoft.demon.co.uk/products/freeinstaller/index.html">http://www.xenonsoft.demon.co.uk/products/freeinstaller/index.html</a><br>
Latest Version 1.0.1<br>
Last Update Jan 2003<br>
<br>
FreeInstaller<br>
FreeInstaller is an Open Source installer program written in Java. It
has a self extracting class file, is able to install Java and non-Java
software on UNIX, LINUX and Windows NT.<br>
License Other<br>
HomePage <a href="http://www.xenonsoft.demon.co.uk/products/freeinstaller/index.html">http://www.xenonsoft.demon.co.uk/products/freeinstaller/index.html</a><br>
Latest Version 2.0.4<br>
Last Update April 1999<br>
<br>
Lift Off Java Installer<br>
Lift Off Java Installer is an installer for Java applications.
Highlights are self-extracting class files, minimal requirements for
the Java installation on the target system, and cross platform
installation.<br>
License GNU General Public License (GPL)<br>
HomePage <a href="http://liftoff.sourceforge.net/index.en.html">http://liftoff.sourceforge.net/index.en.html</a><br>
Latest Version 0.2.2<br>
Last Update March 2000<br>
<br>
Mini Installer<br>
A simple package to build self installating programs in Java. The
process is script driven, the result is a unique JAR file that the user
can double click to execute a wizard-like installation process.<br>
License GNU General Public License (GPL)<br>
HomePage <a href="http://www.yagga.net/java/miniinstaller/index.shtml">http://www.yagga.net/java/miniinstaller/index.shtml</a><br>
Latest Version 1.0.1<br>
Last Update Aug 2002<br>
<br>
Packlet<br>
Packlet is a simple installer tool for Java. A packlet is similar to a
zip or tgz file: it packages an application into a single compressed
file that can be distributed. Packlet files are Java class files that
can be executed on any machine with Java 2 Runtime Environment
installed. Executing a packlet brings up an installer gui to configure
and unpack the application.<br>
License GNU Library or Lesser General Public License (LGPL)<br>
HomePage <a href="http://packlet.sourceforge.net/">http://packlet.sourceforge.net/</a><br>
Latest Version Unknown<br>
Last Update Sep 2002<br>
<br>
Toolshed<br>
A small, simple, pure-Java installer.<br>
License GNU General Public License (GPL)<br>
HomePage <a href="http://www.toolshed.com/downloads.html">http://www.toolshed.com/downloads.html</a><br>
Latest Version Unknown<br>
Last Update May 2002<br>
<br>
VAInstall<br>
VAInstall is a multi-platform installer written in Java. It is
distributed under the GNU GPL License 2. Through a simple config file,
it allows the packager to pick files and directories from various
places on disk, and not only one root dir like other installers. The
packager can completely reorganize the files and dirs on the
destination host. He can choose the install mode for the destination
host (graphic, xtra, text or ansi).<br>
License GPL version 2<br>
HomePage <a href="http://vainstall.sourceforge.net/">http://vainstall.sourceforge.net/</a><br>
Latest Version 0.20<br>
Last Update 2001<br>
<br>