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Distribute your VB6 applications with InnoSetup

Wednesday, 14 May 2008

I. Introduction
Create an installation program is the final step in developing an application.

Given my specialty, this tutorial is necessarily very oriented Visual Basic, and mainly Section II.
But InnoSetup installatteur is a universal, and may well be used for the distribution of applications developed with other
programming languages (Delphi, for example, to mention only the latter).

Of course, for Visual Basic, there is the assistant installation deployment is supplied with basic with VB6-professional
publishing or +
But little change is so tedious, it quickly becomes a deterrent!

InnoSetup is a good alternative to this problem, offering multiple opportunities for customization, a very simple way,
without taking the lead in changing the Setup.bas of VB6!

IsTools is the indispensable complement of InnoSetup.

Necessary to easily import installation files Setup.lst generated by the assistant VB, and available in French, it allows
you to customize your basic setup without writing a single line of code or script!

You will find useful links in the Links section

II. My first "setup"

The main difficulty, to get a complete setup and operational, is to find all the dependencies of your project VB6.

If you're not an expert in this field, I advise you to use, in a first phase, the assistant deployment VB6 to get a file
Setup.lst, which contains the dependencies.
If you do not have the assistant VB6 (distributed only from the professional version of VB6), there are other solutions,
but we will talk later!

II-1. Generate file Setup.lst

I will not comment here on the deployment wizard VB6.
We will use it as a mere gateway to obtain the list of files dependencies of our project.
If you have questions regarding the use of this software, I invite you to our Forum installation and deployment VB6
Lancer assistant Installers and deployment of VB6:
Select your VB6 project file by clicking on "Browse ..." (file type. vbp or. vbg)
Choose the option "Packaging" and continue until the end, without too much to ask you questions, this is not the most
important.
At this stage, (if you kept the basic options of assistant), you generated in the directory. \ MyProject \ Package \
Setup.lst file.

Find this file, it will be the basis of our installation with InnoSetup.

Some components ocx freeware may have hidden dependencies, not identified not the assistant VB.
I do not have a miracle solution and can only advise you to test your setup well before broadcast (I have had bitter
experience)

II-2. Import file Setup.lst in InnoSetup / IsTools

You've spotted your Setup.LST, then make a right click above, in Windows Explorer:
Then "Open with IsTool" or "Open With">> IsTools Application "
-- If the application is not on the list, select "Choose the program ..." and seek IsTools.exe

Here's what we need:

Script import IsTools

; 'C: \ Applications VB6 \ Test ADO \ Package \ SETUP.LST' imported by ISTool version 5.2.1

[Setup]
AppName = MyProgram
AppVerName = MyProgram
DefaultDirName pf = () \ MyProgram
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DefaultGroupName = MyProgram

[Files]
[Bootstrap Files]
@ COMCAT.DLL, $ (WinSysPathSysFile), $ (DLLSelfRegister), 6/1/98 1:00:00 AM, 22288,4.71.1460.1
Source: COMCAT.DLL; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile regserver
@ VB6FR.DLL, $ (WinSysPath ),,$( Shared), 10/2/00 1:00:00 AM, 119568,6.0.89.88
Source: VB6FR.DLL; DestDir: (sys); Flags: promptifolder sharedfile
@ STDOLE2.TLB, $ (WinSysPathSysFile), $ (TLBRegister), 6/3/99 1:00:00 AM, 17920,2.40.4275.1
Source: STDOLE2.TLB; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile regtypelib
@ ASYCFILT.DLL, $ (WinSysPathSysFile),,, 3/8/99 1:00:00 AM, 147728,2.40.4275.1
Source: ASYCFILT.DLL; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
@ OLEPRO32.DLL, $ (WinSysPathSysFile), $ (DLLSelfRegister), 3/8/99 1:00:00 AM, 164112,5.0.4275.1
Source: OLEPRO32.DLL; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile regserver
@ OLEAUT32.DLL, $ (WinSysPathSysFile), $ (DLLSelfRegister), 4/12/00 1:00:00 AM, 598288,2.40.4275.1
Source: OLEAUT32.DLL; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile regserver
@ Msvbvm60.dll, $ (WinSysPathSysFile), $ (DLLSelfRegister), 2/23/04 9:42:40 PM, 1386496,6.0.97.82
Source: msvbvm60.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile regserver

[Setup1 Files]
@ DBRPRFR.DLL, $ (WinSysPath ),,$( Shared), 7/13/98 1:00:00 AM, 33280,6.0.81.63
Source: DBRPRFR.DLL; DestDir: (sys); Flags: promptifolder sharedfile
@ Stdftfr.dll, $ (WinSysPath ),,$( Shared), 11/21/00 4:46:34 AM, 6656,6.0.81.63
Source: stdftfr.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: promptifolder sharedfile
@ MSSTDFMT.DLL, $ (WinSysPath), $ (DLLSelfRegister), $ (Shared), 2/23/04 1:00:00 AM, 119808,6.1.97.82
Source: MSSTDFMT.DLL; DestDir: (sys); Flags: promptifolder regserver sharedfile
;
>> I've just removed the middle!
;
@ Msadox.dll, $ (WinSysPath), $ (DLLSelfRegister), $ (Shared), 8/5/04 1:00:00 PM, 200704,2.81.1117.0
Source: msadox.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: promptifolder regserver sharedfile

@ Test_ADO.exe, $ (AppPath),,, 10/12/07 9:51:35 PM, 53248,1.0.0.0

Source: MyProgram.exe; DestDir:) (app; Flags: promptifolder

[Icons]
Name: group) (\ MyProgram; Filename: app) (\ MyProgram.exe; WorkingDir:) (app

The you show lines imported file Setup.LST (in the form of comments), and these lines can be deleted.

At this level, lies the main problem IsTools, and you will probably quickly noticed: it is not able to include the path source
for files listed!

The sub-section [Bootstrap Files] list files VB6 runtime.

You can put these files in a directory, so you can be reused in each installation:
For example, here in c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \
[Files]
[VB Runtime files]
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ stdole2.tlb; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
regtypelib
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ msvbvm60.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
regserver
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ oleaut32.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
regserver
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ olepro32.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
regserver
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ asycfilt.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ comcat.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
regserver
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ Vb6fr.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall promptifolder
sharedfile

For other files, you'll have to define the source directory.

III. Customize a little our Setup
It would be impossible to describe here, all possibilities of InnoSetup
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We shall therefore content ourselves of the most common.

III-1. The section [Setup]

There is much to say about this section, both its possibilities and options are numerous.

A brief overview with what we achieved during the conversion of Setup.lst file, with explanatory comments:
[Setup]
; The name "commercial" your application to be used in the titles of windows and dialogues main
AppName = MyProgram
; The name and version of your program (visible on the home page)
AppVerName = MyProgram v1.0
; The default
DefaultDirName pf = () \ MyProgram
; Group The installation program by default, in the "Start" menu
DefaultGroupName = MyProgram

Many other options are available in this section:

An overview of configurable options in the section [Setup]
...
To define the name of the installation program
OutputBaseFilename = MyProgram_Setup
To define the directory registration program compiled installaton
OutputDir =.. \ Package

; Impose an administrator for the installation (needed for registering dll and ocx)
PrivilegesRequired = admin

; Setting the minimum versions of Windows required for installation

MinVersion = 0,5.0.2195

To define a default source directory which will search for the files section [Files]
If the source directory is not specified
SourceDir = C: \ MyProgram

; Show text information before installation

InfoBeforeFile =. \ InfosBefore.txt
; Show text information after installation
InfoAfterFile =. \ InfosAfter.txt
; Show a page containing the text of licence
LicenseFile =. \ Licence.txt

To define a Copyright
AppCopyright = Copyright © 2008 thierryaim

; Customize images windows installer

WizardImageFile = C: \ Program Files \ Inno Setup 5 \ WizModernImage-IS.bmp
WizardSmallImageFile = C: \ Program Files \ Inno Setup 5 \ WizModernSmallImage-IS.bmp

All options section [Setup] are easily configured in the menu "Project">> "Options installer" IsTools.
If you have any questions, please visit the forum installation VB

III-2. The section [Files]

It was created automatically when you import the file. Lst, in the previous step.

In this section, you can add all the folders or files to be attached to the application:

Key parameters:
Source (required): name (and folder) source file
DestDir (required): destination directory
DestName (optional): filename destination, if different from the original name
[Files]
[Redist Files]
Source: c: \ Redist \ DCom \ dcom98.EXE; DestDir:) (app; Flags: promptifolder deleteafterinstall nocompression; Tasks:
DCOM98
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[Application Files]
Source: MyProgram.exe; DestDir:) (app; Flags: promptifolder
Source: MyProgram.ini; DestDir:) (app; Flags: promptifolder
Source: readme.txt; DestDir:) (app; Flags: promptifolder isreadme

; Add to package a folder and all its contents

Source: images \ *.*; DestDir: app) (\ images

The main Flags of this section:

promptifolder: Displays a warning if the file to install is older than the same file already present on the target system
isreadme: indicates that the file type readme. A dialog box will be automatically offered at the end of the installation
sharedfile: declares a file to install as can be shared by several applications
restartreplace: cause a system restart if the file should be replaced
regserver: After installation, indicates that the file (type ocx or dll) must be registered with regsvr32 (requires
PrivilegesRequired = admin)
regtypelib: After installation, indicates that the file (of type. tlb) must be registered as a new library type (requires
PrivilegesRequired = admin)
uninsneveruninstall: specifies that the file should never be uninstalled
deleteafterinstall: file to be removed after installation
allowunsafefiles: necessary, if you include in your package, files in the folder system

See the list of files unsafe not to redistribute (depending on different platforms), on-line help InnoStup

For other Flags, I invite you to read the online help-Inno Setup.
III-3. The section [Dirs]
permits, during installation, creating sub-folders directory application

The example below creates files and data bin as subfolders directory application) (app:
[Dirs]
Name: app) (\ data
Name: app) (\ bin

III-4. The section [Tasks]

As its name indicates, this section will enable us to define the tasks to be performed or not, depending on the choice of
the user.

If this section is present in the script, the installer automatically generate a selection of tasks, depending on the
specified parameters:
[Tasks]
Name: InstalRTVB6; Description: Install VB6 Runtime
Name: DCOM98; Description: COM & D 1.3 (Windows 98); GroupDescription: Complements:; Flags: checkedonce;
MinVersion: 4.1,0; OnlyBelowVersion: 4.9,0
Name: DesktopIcon; Description: Create an icon on the &bureau; GroupDescription: Icons; Flags: checkedonce
Name: QuickLaunchIcon; Description: Create an icon & Quick Start; GroupDescription: Icons; Flags: unchecked

The execution of the code will be conditioned by the preselection of the task [Tasks]:
Take the example of installation files VB6 runtime:
[Files]
[VB Runtime files]
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ stdole2.tlb; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
regtypelib; Tasks: InstalRTVB6
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ msvbvm60.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
regserver; Tasks: InstalRTVB6
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ oleaut32.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
regserver; Tasks: InstalRTVB6
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ olepro32.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
regserver; Tasks: InstalRTVB6
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ asycfilt.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile; Tasks:
InstalRTVB6
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ comcat.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall sharedfile
regserver; Tasks: InstalRTVB6
Source: c: \ Redist \ VB_Runtime \ Vb6fr.dll; DestDir: (sys); Flags: restartreplace uninsneveruninstall promptifolder
sharedfile; Tasks: InstalRTVB6

The installation will be done if and only if the task InstalRTVB6 was selected previously.
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III-5. The section [Icons]

This section allows you to set icons to install.

The example below proposes the creation of icons:

Senior Programme
uninstallation program
for the file "Readme"
on the desktop, conditioned by the task DesktopIcon, previously defined in section [Tasks]
launch rapid, conditioned by the task QuickLaunchIcon, previously defined in section [Tasks]
[Icons]
Name: group) (\ MyProgram; Filename: app) (\ MyProgram.exe; WorkingDir:) (app
Name: group) (\ Uninstall MyProgram; Filename:) (uninstallexe
Name: group) (\ Readme; Filename: app) (\ Lisezmoi.txt; WorkingDir:) (app
Name: userdesktop) (\ MyProgram; Filename: app) (\ MyProgram.exe; WorkingDir:) (app; Tasks: DesktopIcon
Name: userappdata () \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Quick Launch \ MyProgram; Filename: app) (\ MyProgram.exe;
WorkingDir:) (app; Tasks: QuickLaunchIcon

III-6. The section [INI]

permits, during installation, write to a file. ini associated with the application:

Parameters:
Filename: filename. Ini
Section: name of the section of the file. Ini
Key: key name of the file. Ini
String: Value of key
[INI]
Filename: app) (\ MyProgram.ini Section: Setup; Key: Language; String: French; Languages: fr; Flags:
createkeyifdoesntexist
Filename: app) (\ MyProgram.ini Section: Setup; Key: Language; String: English; Languages:; Flags:
createkeyifdoesntexist

III-7. The section [Registry]

allows you to enter in the register of information to the installation:
[Registry]
Create the primary key
Root: HKCU; Subkey: Software \ VB and VBA Program Settings \ MyProgram; Flags: uninsdeletekey
; Registration of values subkeys
Root: HKCU; Subkey: Software \ VB and VBA Program Settings \ MyProgram \ Setup; ValueType: string; ValueName:
LicenseName; ValueData:) (sysuserinfoorg
Root: HKCU; Subkey: Software \ VB and VBA Program Settings \ MyProgram \ Setup; ValueType: string; ValueName:
Language; ValueData: French.lng; Languages: fr
Root: HKCU; Subkey: Software \ VB and VBA Program Settings \ MyProgram \ Setup; ValueType: string; ValueName:
Language; ValueData: English.lng; Languages:

III-8. The section [Run]

can define the tasks to be performed when the installation is complete
[Run]
; START DCOM
Filename: app) (\ dcom98.exe; Parameters: / r: n / q: u; WorkingDir:) (tmp; Flags: skipifdoesntexist; Tasks: DCOM98;
MinVersion: 4.1,0

IV. Installation multilingual

Among its many possibilities, Inno-Setup allows, basic installations multilingual.

For this, you should write:

The section [Languages]: Allows define languages installation available for your setup.
The section [CustomMessages]: contain all the texts and messages used in the setup, in different languages declared
IV-1. The section [Languages]

The list of languages pre-formatted is contained in the installation folder-Inno Setup; normally your directory "C: \
Program Files \ Inno Setup 5 \ Languages"
The default language, you will have noticed, is English, coupled with the language file default.isl

For an installation in french only, you only have to set the language, replacing the default language (English):
For an installer who speaks french:
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[Languages]
Name: fr; MessagesFile: compile: Languages \ French.isl

For a multilingual, you must define a name (abbreviation short, preferably) for each language declared.
We will, in the examples below, two languages: french and English:
Example section [Languages]
[Languages]
Name:; MessagesFile: compile: Default.isl
Name: fr; MessagesFile: compile: Languages \ French.isl
; Add below all languages that you want to make available. Examples:
Name: gr; MessagesFile: compile: Languages \ German.isl
Name: it; MessagesFile: compile: Languages \ Italian.isl
Name: sp; MessagesFile: compile: Languages \ Spanish.isl

If this section is present in your Setup program, and has more than one language declared the dialog language
selection installation will, by default, automatically displayed at the launch of the programme:

Dialog: Selection of the installation language

IV-2. The section [CustomMessages]
Defining here all the texts to appear in different pages of your Setup.

Each message must be prefixed by the name (Name) defined in section [Languages]
Example section [CustomMessages]
[CustomMessages]
; French
fr.TaskIconGroup = Icons:
fr.TaskDesktopIcon = Create an icon on the desktop &
fr.TaskQuickLaunchIcon = Create an icon & Quick Start

; English
en.TaskIconGroup = Icons:
en.TaskDesktopIcon = Create a desktop icon
en.TaskQuickLaunchIcon = Create a quicklaunch icon

Then, in the script, replace the text messages on their equivalent with the syntax: (cm: monmessage]
The text will be displayed depending on the language chosen to start the installation.
Example of section [Tasks]
[Tasks]
Name: DesktopIcon; Description: (cm: TaskDesktopIcon); GroupDescription: (cm: TaskIconGroup); Flags: checkedonce
Name: QuickLaunchIcon; Description: (cm: TaskQuickLaunchIcon); GroupDescription: (cm: TaskIconGroup); Flags:
unchecked

Section [Files], conditioned by the language of intallation:

[Files]
Source: C: \ licence.txt; DestName: licence.txt; DestDir:) (app; Languages: fr
Source: C: \ license.txt; DestName: license.txt; DestDir:) (app; Languages:
Source: readme.txt; DestDir:) (app; Flags: promptifolder isreadme; Languages: fr
Source: readme.txt; DestDir:) (app; Flags: promptifolder isreadme; Languages:

If you are prompted to create customized pages for the use of (cm: ..) in section [Code], I urge you to read Section
[Code] InnoSetup

V. Conclusions
To each his preferences, but I am very fond of this software, simple, easy to grip, little bigger resources, and
opportunities and options immense.

For followers of the language of Shakespeare, I urge you to read using InnoSetup for all information, mainly on Flags, it
would be difficult to describe here, as there are many possibilities.

V-1. Links
Download the latest version of Inno-Setup
Get the latest IsTools (the site is in English, but the software offers a package in French language)

In the same series, see also: Section [Code] InnoSetup

V-2. Acknowledgments
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A big THANK YOU to those who took a few minutes of their precious time to read me and advise me, and particularly
bbil and sjrd.

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