Inno setup
Inno setup
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Basic data
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developer |
Jordan Russell Martijn Laan |
Current version |
6.0.4 ( March 12, 2020 ) |
operating system | Windows |
programming language | Object Pascal |
category | Software engineering |
License | Inno Setup License |
German speaking | No |
jrsoftware.org |
Inno Setup is a program with which installation routines can be created with the help of scripts . The package only contains a text editor with syntax highlighting for creating the scripts , but other manufacturers offer additional software that also provides a graphical user interface for creating the package.
Emergence
The first version of Inno Setup came about in early 1997 when software developer Jordan Russell was looking for an easy way to distribute the 16-bit and 32-bit versions of his software. He was dissatisfied with the available solutions, as they were either too extensive for his purposes, too complicated to operate for the user, or simply not available in 16-bit and 32-bit versions. That is why he decided to develop an installation program himself, version 1.09 of which he then made freely available to other interested parties.
In the course of time and thanks to a growing active following, this initially quite simple program developed into a very versatile tool for creating installation programs, the possibilities of which today in many cases approach commercial solutions.
Special features
The software supports all common Windows operating systems from Windows 2000 onwards. The program either saves the installation file in a single file ( EXE ) or divides the setup for several data carriers . Inno Setup supports the compression methods ZIP (deflate), bzip2 and 7-Zips LZMA in different compression levels, multilingual installations, creation of shortcuts , creation of registry entries, password-protected or encrypted installations as well as "silent" installation and deinstallation without user input.
The software has its own license called Inno Setup License (similar to the BSD license ). The source code is completely available (for the Delphi development environment ) and may be changed without restriction.
Limitation for Windows Vista
When using Inno Setup in software products, it is not possible to obtain certification as “Designed for Windows Vista” from Microsoft, as Inno Setup is not able to generate the Windows installer files required for this .
Supplements from other manufacturers
Thanks to the disclosure of the source code and the liberal license, there are numerous plug-ins and programs for Inno Setup , the most important of which are briefly presented here. Together with Inno Setup, they result in a free suite for creating installation packages. Additional adjustments can be made with the support of Pascal Script .
ISTool
The ISTool should help the user to create scripts for Inno Setup. A tree structure on the left side structures the individual categories in which the user can make his changes in order to create an individual package. The same manufacturer also offers the download DLL , which enables files to be downloaded during installation, and the Billboard DLL , which enables a slideshow to be displayed during installation.
Inno Setup Form Designer
This software is similar to the form designer in many development environments and allows the user to create his own dialogues , which are converted in real time into code that can be used by Inno Setup. In addition, the program contains an RTF editor with which, for example, license texts can be created.
More packages
Inno Setup Script #Includes takes advantage of Inno Scripts' ability to use includes and implements numerous additional functions such as: B. playing music or generating serial numbers for individual packages. Wizard Images contains a package of graphics for setup.
See also
Other installer programs:
- Nullsoft Scriptable Install System , free script-based installation system for Windows
- Windows Installer XML (WiX) free setup system for Windows.
- InstallShield , proprietary installation solution for Windows
Web links
- Website (English)
- Introduction to Inno Setup - German-language instructions
- ISTool
- ISXKB - "Inno Setup Extensions Knowledge Base" with lots of helpful information on Inno Setup (English)
- Inno setup documentation for advanced users (German) (PDF; 485 kB)