Glossary

A binary file that is executable on UNIX platforms. Application files usually have a .bin extension.

See cabinet file.

A validation module that stores and provides access to custom actions for internal consistency evaluators (ICEs). See also custom action and internal consistency evaluator.

A graphics interchange format file supported on the Web. This type of file is in a bit-mapped graphics file format used for displaying bitmap images. These files use lossless compression, a method of compression in which no data is lost. This type of file supports up to 256 colors; it also supports transparency, where the background color can be set to transparent to let the color on the underlying page show through. This type of file format is more suitable than the .jpg file format for images with only a few distinct colors, such as line drawings.

The working file that InstallShield uses to store project information. When you build a release, InstallShield uses the .ism file to create an .msi file for distribution.

Also known as JPEG, which is the abbreviation for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the original name of the committee that wrote the standard. This type of file is one of the image file formats supported on the Web. The file uses lossy compression, a type of compression in which color and grayscale continuous-tone images are compressed and some data is lost to eliminate redundant or unnecessary information. These images support 16 million colors and are best suited for photographs and complex graphics.

The Windows Installer installation package in its finished state. It includes installation resource files and can have compressed within it all of the application’s data files. The .msi file is the one that is distributed to the end users and will interact with the Windows Installer service to install your application on their machines.

A Windows Installer patch file. This type of file consists of a summary information stream, transform substorages, and cabinet files. An .msp file contains at least one database transform that adds patching information to the database of its target installation package. The installer uses this patching information to apply the patch files that are stored in the cabinet files.

An operating system platform that Microsoft created for connecting information, people, systems, and devices. The .NET environment enables developers to build, create, and deploy their applications and Web services using whatever languages they prefer via the common language run time.

A programming infrastructure that Microsoft created for building, deploying, and running applications and services that use .NET technologies such as Web services. The .NET Framework consists of three main parts: the common language run time, a hierarchical set of unified class libraries, and a componentized version of Active Server Pages called ASP.NET.

A certificate file that conforms to public-key cryptography standard (PKCS) number 12, which specifies a portable format for securely storing or transporting a user’s private keys, certificates, miscellaneous secrets, and other information.

A prerequisite file that contains information about a base application or component that must be installed on the target machine before the main application can be installed. Including setup prerequisites in installation projects enables developers to chain multiple installer files together into a single executable file.

A ScreenCam movie file.

An absolute path includes all of the information necessary to locate a file by starting at the root directory of a specified drive. For example, C:\Program Files\InstallShield is the absolute path to the InstallShield folder when it is installed on drive C.

The phase of the installation process during which the installer queries the database for instructions. The acquisition phase is followed by the execution phase.

A structure supported by Microsoft Windows 2000 that enables administrators to track and locate any object on a network. Active Directory is the directory service used in Windows 2000 Server for distributed computing environments.

A set of object-oriented programming technologies and tools. ActiveX enables developers to write applications so that other applications and the operating system can call them. ActiveX technology makes it possible to create interactive Web pages that look and behave like applications, rather than static pages.

The list of actions that are executed when a user launches your installation with the /a command-line option. This is useful for network administrators who want to provide a common installation point on the network and prepare different installation criteria for multiple users. Each Administration sequence consists of a User Interface sequence and an Execute sequence.

The highest level of permission that can be granted to a computer user. Levels of permissions are necessary in networked environments to ensure system security and prevent damage to computer hardware and software. A user with administrative privileges can perform tasks such as install and uninstall software and change a computer’s configurations. Administrative privileges usually pertain to Windows NT 4.0, 2000, or XP machines as opposed to Windows 95, 98, or ME machines.

A type of “just-in-time” installation in which features are not installed immediately during the installation process. Instead, they are installed on the fly when they are requested. When you enable feature advertisement, the feature is advertised, regardless of the mode in which the installation is running, as long as no other factors prevent it from being advertised. If you launch MsiExec.exe from the command line with the /jm option, the feature is advertised to the end user’s machine. If you use the /ju function, the feature is advertised to the current end user. In the Custom Setup dialog, the end user can control which features are immediately installed and which are available later. The two types of advertising are assigning and publishing. See also assigning; publishing.

The process of presenting to end users features that are not installed immediately during the installation process. Instead, these features are installed on the fly when they are requested. See also advertisement.

The code that represents letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and other characters such as numbers, with each character assigned a value between 0 to 127. This code enables different types of computers and computer applications to exchange data.

See application programming interface.

A set of routines that an application uses to communicate with the computer’s operating system and that the operating system uses to make services available to the application.

A type of advertisement. If an administrator assigns an application to a machine, the installation program automatically runs the next time that the machine starts or restarts. If the administrator assigns an application to a user, the installation program places a shortcut on the Start menu of the user’s machine. When the user selects the shortcut or launches a document associated with the assigned application, the application is installed.

See active template library.

The automatic restoring of an application to its original state by the installer. A partial or complete application reinstallation might be required if any files associated with any feature are missing or corrupted.

Images, such as marketing messages, that can be displayed during installation.

A representation of an image presented as an array of bits. In bitmap graphics, an image is displayed on the screen as a collection of tiny squares called pixels, which together form a pattern. Each pixel in the image corresponds with one or more bits.

A cache (pronounced cash) is a temporary storage area for frequently accessed data. The purpose of caching is to store frequently used information in a location that is easy to access, resulting in a faster-running computer. There are two types of cache: memory cache and disc cache. Memory cache stores the data and the address of where the data is stored in main memory. Memory caching is useful because most applications access the same data repeatedly. Disc caching uses the main memory. It is used to hold information that has recently been requested from the hard disc or has previously been written to the hard disc. In general, installations usually use the disc cache. When data is read from or written to main memory, a copy is also saved in the memory cache. When data is called for, the computer first checks the memory cache, then the disc cache, and finally main memory.

See computer-based training.

A graphical user interface that is launched when a CD is inserted in the drive. It is used to launch one or more applications on the CD.

A calculated figure that is applied to data to test for possible corruption. The checksum is derived by sequentially combining bytes of data in the file in a systematic manner. After transmission or storage compression, the checksum calculation is performed again and the result is compared with the previous outcome. If the numbers do not match, this indicates that there is likely an error in the stored or transmitted data.

See component object model.

An executable file that exposes objects to other applications according to the Component Object Model (COM) specification. The types of objects exposed by a COM server may include ActiveX controls, ActiveX documents, Automation objects, or MTS components.

(1) An instruction given to a computer.

(2) An instruction that the operating system executes from the command line or a Command Prompt window to perform a specific task. If errors occur during installation, you may, for example, need to execute commands to run utilities, search your computer’s directories, or delete files.

The Command Prompt window is the interface to MS-DOS. To access the Command Prompt window, click Run on the Start menu, and then type command.com in Windows 95, 98, and ME or cmd.exe in Windows NT, 2000, or XP. If errors occur during installation, you may need to open the Command Prompt window to enter commands to run utilities or search your computer’s directories, for example.

Execution of a Windows Installer action upon completion of the InstallFinalize action, which occurs when the installation has completed transferring files, registering COM servers, and creating shortcuts and registry entries.

A disc used for electronically recording, storing, and playing back audio, video, and other information in digital form.

Elements of the application from the installation developer’s perspective. Components are not visible to the end user. When the end user selects a feature for installation, the installer determines which components are associated with that feature, and then those components are installed. Components of an application would contain, for example, the executable binary files, data files, shortcuts, help system files, and registry entries.

Take one or more files and create a new file whose size is less than the total size of the original file(s) and from which the original file(s) can be re-created.

A statement of logic that compares the value of a property to a fixed value or determines whether the property is defined. The condition must evaluate to true if the object, feature, component, action, or other item associated with the condition is to be installed or performed.

What an installation does to a redistributable package such as a merge module or InstallShield object.

(1) A file that has been transformed from one type of file to another.

(2) The Open MSI/MSM Wizard in InstallShield is a tool that converts .msi files and merge module (.msm) files to InstallShield installation projects (.ism files) that you can modify and build in InstallShield.

An action that is created by an installation author as opposed to a standard action that is built into a Windows installer. The action encapsulates a function performed during the installation, uninstallation, or maintenance of an application.

A function that operates on a database.

A set of applications that control the organization, storage, and retrieval of data for many users.

See distributed component object model.

The reverse process of compression, which minimizes the size of a file by removing its space characters. This process returns the file to its original state.

A software object that is required by another software object.

A window that displays within an application interface that enables users to enter information or specify commands.

To assure end users that the code within your application has not been tampered with or altered since publication, you can digitally sign your application. When you do so, end users are presented with a digital certificate when they download your product.

A CD-ROM or other format of media deployed to users.

The act of selecting an item and moving it to another location.

An interactive object that lets the user enter text into a field.

The person who installs or uninstalls your product.

A program that performs essential functions and coordinates the overall operation of other programs. Engines work behind the scenes. InstallShield uses the InstallScript engine (ISScript.msi) and the Windows Installer engine to drive installations. InstallShield also has its own proprietary engine called ikernel.

All of the installation and uninstallation files that are contained in a single, self-extracting file.

A file that contains a program that can run on Windows platforms.

Installer actions for a Windows Installer installation. The execution script is generated during the acquisition phase of installation and executed during the execution phase.

(1) A programming language that is essentially a simplified version of standard generalized markup language (SGML). It enables developers to create customized tags to organize and deliver content efficiently.

(2) The format of the output of MultiPlatform projects.

(3) Windows-based projects created in InstallShield can be converted to XML so that they can be saved in source code control software.

The user interface developed by the author of an installation package. It does not use the internal user interface capabilities that are available with the installer.

A false positive is something that gives the appearance of being true by a test, but in reality is not. Most cases of false positives are found in anti-virus software. For example, anti-virus software may claim that it has found a virus in an InstallShield file, but in fact, this is not the case; their virus definitions need to be updated.

An element of data storage in a file system.

See IDriver.exe.

An installation that installs an updated version of your product over an earlier version.

A collection of available resources that can be shared.

Graphical user interface.

The primary storage device on a computer. A hard drive contains disks on which data is read from and written to magnetically. The term “hard” differentiates the aluminum or glass disks used in a hard drive from floppy disks, which are made of plastic.

See hypertext markup language.

See import address table.

See interactive development environment and integrated development environment.

See Internet Explorer.

Installation phase terminology that generally refers to custom actions that are immediately executed when the installer builds the script in an InstallScript project.

A full build that creates references to the payload files only. This means that at installation time, the payload must be in the same place where it was at build time. For example, if your payload is on a network server, then the installation looks for the payload on that same network server.

The transfer of a program and its constituent files, features, and components from source media to a target system. See also installation process.

The entire process of installing the contents of a package or application onto a target computer. The installation process consists of the acquisition phase, the execution phase, and, if the installation attempt is not successful, rollback.

The sequence in which an applications files are installed, acitons are executed, and dialogs display at run time. The installation sequence runs by default when the installation is launched, for example, by double-clicking the installation launcher.

A Windows Installer capability that makes it possible to offer functionality to users and applications in the absence of the files themselves.

An installation and configuration service on a computer.

The application programming interface called by an application to obtain installer services.

Variables that are used during the installation.

A software program’s interface. Also referred to as an interactive development environment.

The point at which independent systems communicate with each other. The user interface of an application often consists of toolbars, menus, buttons, windows, and other items.

Files that are included in the installation archive file.

The browser developed by Microsoft and distributed with their Windows operating systems.

An application that has been modified so that it always loads the versions of components, such as .dll files, with which it was originally developed and tested.

Acronym for Java archive file. See also .jar file.

A Java specification that enables Java code to call native code in a shared library. Native code in the JNI library can also invoke Java code through JNI.

See Java Native Interface.

See Java Virtual Machine.

A unique file for each component that Windows Installer uses to detect the component’s presence. In order to create advanced component settings or shortcuts, a key file must be specified.

A collection of technical information, instructions, and articles that are beyond the scope of the software’s help information. The Knowledge Base features tips, tricks, and techniques, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and articles on both technical and design issues. Revenera posts periodic updates to the Knowledge Base Articles on its Web site (http://www.installshield.com).

A collection of similar objects that are stored for occasional use, such as programs in source code or object code form, data files, scripts, and templates. A program library is a collection of (usually) precompiled, reusable programming routines that a programmer can “call” when writing code.

The process of adapting a product or service to a particular language and culture.

File containing a record of the activity that occurred during a software process (such as an installation, a build, a download) on a computer workstation or Web server. For example, Web servers maintain log files listing every request made to the server, summarizing files that were copied; bytes that were transferred; or which pages, images, and files are requested. A build log file lists all features, setup types, merge modules, dynamic links, and files included in the build.

The process of recording the activity of a software process (such as an installation, a build, or a download) in a log file.

When a user runs an installation program a second (or later) time for a product already installed on their system, the installation runs in maintenance mode. Maintenance mode enables the user to modify feature selections from the first-time installation, repair the features already installed, or remove the entire program.

An application is called a “managed application” if elevated (system) privileges are used to install the application.

The semantics of an installable unit (IU). It provides a mapping of the elements in the deployment descriptor (DD) to some physical source for the data, which is usually files.

An image saved using the standard Windows metafile format. A metafile is a set of drawing instructions. Windows metafiles have a .wmf file extension.

A fully SQL Server–compatible data engine for building desktop and shared solutions. It provides an easy migration path to SQL Server 7.0. Solutions built with MSDE can be migrated to full SQL Server 7.0 without requiring a change in a single line of code.

The first operating system created by Microsoft. MS-DOS is the underlying operating system of Windows 95, 98, and ME. Windows NT, 2000, and XP operating systems support existing DOS applications.

See musical instrument digital interface.

See multipurpose internet mail extensions.

See merge module.

Enables the user to interact with other windows and dialog boxes. See also modal.

A named instance of an installation of the Microsoft data engine (MSDE). See also named instance.

See Microsoft Developer Network.

The Microsoft Disc-Operating System (MS-DOS) prompt is the visual indicator in the Command Prompt window signaling that MS-DOS is ready to accept a new command. The default MS-DOS prompt is C:>, followed by a blinking cursor.

See .msm file.

See .mst file.

The standard used by Web servers to identify the files that they are sending to Web clients. The MIME standard is a way of specifying both the type of file being sent and the method that should be used to turn it back into its original form.

An instance is a complete and independent installation of SQL Server on a given server. One default instance and any number (up to 16) of named instances can be installed on a single server. Apart from the management tools and client connectivity components that are shared between instances, each instance is effectively standalone. Each instance has its own security, can be started and stopped independently, and can even be service packed independently of other instances on the same server.

A network is two or more computers connected together to share hardware, software, and information. During installation, it may be necessary to move installation files that are on a network to your computer’s hard drive to install the software properly.

A package containing all of the logic and files needed to install distinct pieces of functionality.

With a One-Click Install installation, the end user can download an application with minimal effort and can begin using the application immediately. The installation is automatically downloaded, uncompressed, and then executed automatically, with minimal user input. End users are not asked to specify a download location, and they are not required to manually launch the installation.

See One Really Cool Application.

All of the files needed to run an installation, including the installation database file, your application’s files (separate from the installation database file or compressed into it), and an executable file (which may have all of the above files compressed inside it).

A window within a wizard that contains one or more related settings that an end user can configure. See also wizard.

A special type of installation package that contains just the bits and portions of the application that is necessary to either update the application’s files and installation to a specific version or to fix a bug in an earlier version.

The method of updating an installation that replaces only the bits being changed rather than the entire application. This means that end users can download a patch for a product that is much smaller than the entire product.

A variable that represents a location that can be defined once in a central location so that it is not necessary to change every source file’s path each time that the project is moved or the folder structure is changed. You can instead use path variables to define commonly used paths once, and they are used during the development of your installation project. These paths do not apply to the target machines where the application is being installed. Rather, they are used to link to source files that need to be included in your installation project. When the project is built, those links are evaluated and the files they point to are built into the installation package.

The operating system for which the installation program is intended. An installation technology may be limited to creating installations for a specific platform(s).

The actual application to be installed or uninstalled.

The visual indication of the progress of an executable file.

A global variable whose value is set by the end user or system administrator. A public property can be set or changed during installation through interaction with the user interface as well as by setting the property on the command line, by applying a transform, or by using a standard or custom action. Unlike private property values, the values of public properties can be changed. Public property names cannot contain lowercase letters.

A type of advertising (“just-in-time” installation) in which no user-interface elements are created for the component during installation, but the component can still be installed through Add and Remove Programs of the Control Panel or when an installed component requests the published component from the installer.

A special type of patch package that contains just the bits and portions of the database necessary to update your application’s files and installation to a specific version. You can create a QuickPatch in InstallShield by using the QuickPatch type of project.

The three colors of light that can be mixed to produce any other color. Colored images are often stored as a sequence of RGB triplets or as separate red, green, and blue overlays, though these are not the only possible representations. These three colors correspond to the three “guns” in a color cathode ray tube (CRT) and to the color receptors in the human eye.

The reduced UI level displays authored modeless dialogs, built-in modal error messages, and disc-prompt messages during installation. This UI level does not display any authored modal dialogs. This UI level uses the installer’s internal user interface capabilities. See also modal, modeless, and internal user interface.

This type of build only recompiles custom code. It can also perform single file replacement, meaning it can only rebuild and add or modify a single changed file without rebuilding the entire installation. This type of build is available for InstallScript projects only.

A central database used by the Windows operating system to track the personal settings and the software and hardware installed on a computer. During installation, installation choices are written to the registry.

When a product has been installed on a machine and its installation is run again, the installation reinstalls the product by overwriting its existing files, shortcuts, and registry entries.

A full rebuild fit for releasing.

A small routine placed in a program that is used to request a service on another computer. RPC is a protocol, or agreed-upon format for transmitting data, that allows a program to request a service from a program located in another computer. The stub accepts the request from the program and forwards it to the remote procedure. When the procedure is complete, the stub receives the result and passes it back to the program that made the request.

The ability for the application to reinstall components as necessary. If a component is accidentally deleted or corrupted, Windows Installer technology enables the application to essentially repair itself.

The set of rows created by executing a SELECT statement.

A Microsoft file format that contains special commands to indicate formatting information such as fonts and margins. RTF lets you exchange files between different word processors and operating systems.

A set of related columns that describe a specific entity, also known as a record.

See rich text format.

Safe mode is a troubleshooting mode available in Windows 95, 98, ME, and 2000. When you start your computer in safe mode, only the operating system and mouse, keyboard, and display drivers are loaded. You may be able to start your computer in safe mode when it otherwise would not start at all. Safe mode lets you troubleshoot the operating system to determine what is not functioning properly.

See Service Control Manager.

A United States law that amended the Rehabilitation Act to require federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508, agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others.

See auto-repair.

A collection of actions and dialogs that is executed sequentially in an installation project.

For Windows Installer–based or InstallScript-based projects, this is a program that runs in the background whenever a computer is running. Services perform tasks that do not require user interaction, such as software installation, process monitoring, file transfer, task scheduling, network management, and many more. In Win32, services are managed by the Service Control Manager.

An update to a software product that fixes existing problems and may provide product enhancements. The next version of a product incorporates all services packs previously released.

See installation project.

A file that points to an application. Clicking the shortcut is a fast way to open the application. Shortcuts are usually placed on the desktop or on the Start menu. See also advertised shortcut.

A patch that upgrades a package where both the installed package and the most recent one have the same version number.

A list that specifies the locations where the installer searches for installation files. The entries in the source list can be network locations, URLs, or compact disks.

An image that is displayed to end users during the startup of a product installation. You can specify the image to be displayed, the length of time that it should display, and whether it contains localized images.

See Structured Query Language.

An action that is built into an installation development software product. InstallShield products also support the creation and use of custom actions. See also action, custom action.

A language used to work with databases.

The opposite of asynchronous execution, where control of the process is not released until the entire process has completed.

The system, programs, and functions available to each user.

In a Windows Installer–based installation, the TARGETDIR property specifies the root destination directory for the installation. In an InstallScript installation, the TARGETDIR system variable, by default, specifies the root destination directory for the installation.

A folder on your hard drive where the operating system or applications can temporarily store files while they are in use. When the application exits, the temporary files are deleted. It may be necessary to manually clean, or delete files from, the temp directory.

A transform (.mst) file represents the differences between two installation databases. For example, network administrators may want to distribute different configurations of a product to the various departments in the company. As a result, you can create a transform for every configuration of the product, then apply the appropriate transform as needed.

The set of properties used to verify that a transform can be applied to the Windows Installer package.

Data that is structured like a tree.

See decompress.

The undoing of an installation. Uninstallation is the installation maintenance option that enables the end user to remove the product files and reverse any changes that were made to the machine made during installation.

A component included in the Setup Wizard that uninstalls the product from the end user’s PC.

An optional Win32 or Java-based client application that can be used by end users to set their own update schedules, or to silence the update queries performed by the agent.

The code required to install a newer version of existing software.

See uniform/universal resource locator.

Record of an individual end user’s settings, such as shortcuts, favorites, and settings for application, display, and hardware. User profiles enable multiple users to share a single computer while maintaining their own preferences.

An installation that upgrades the features and functions of an installed application.

The total amount of space, in blocks, on one piece of media.

An installation that end users can access and run from a Web site.

Stores the path to the executable file for Win16 on Win32 (WOW).

The Windows application programming interface (API), which provides the building blocks that are used by applications written for the Windows platform. Each API is a specific method prescribed by a computer operating system or by an application program. A programmer writing an application can make requests of the operating system or another application with the use of a Windows API. Each API has different system requirements to run properly.

(1) An installation and configuration service. It is based on a data-driven model and provides all installation data and instructions in a single, complete package. In the data-driven installation model, a master set of installation tables is created where every application resource (files, registry keys, and so on) is clearly tied to the component or feature it supports. The user selects the objects to install and where to install them, and the Windows Installer manages the procedural instructions.

(2) Refers to the service, properties, and tables of an .msi package.

See Windows service.

Contains core operating system files, which are necessary to keep the computer running properly. Errors occurring during installation may be a result of missing or corrupt files contained in the System folder.

Dialogs that display to the end user during installation and uninstallation. They enable end users to interact with the operation by reading or specifying information.

What you see is what you get.

See extensible markup language.