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I'm making my first app and struggled a while to get the PortableApps.com installer make the installer to my app. It kept complaining about no exe file on the AppName folder when its defined to be somewhere else on the AppInfo.ini. I had to copy and paste it there just to get the wizard started. Specially when I'm defining the files to be downloaded.
Am I missing something?
A launcher or initial EXE *must* be there. If it's getting downloaded, it should be placed in App\AppName somewhere.
The files is in App\AppName somewhere.
Starting the app works but I had to copy the exe to fool the installer wizard. Also I'm trying to make the installer download the zip distribution from the internet so no exe will be present. The installer wizard also complains. I must be doing something wrong.
Thanks in advance!
Here are my ini files:
AppInfo.ini:
[Format]
Type=PortableApps.com
Format Version=2.0
[Details]
Name=Netbeans Portable
AppID=NetbeansPortable
Publisher=Oracle & PortableApps.com
Homepage=PortableApps.com/AppNamePortable
Category=Development
Description=Netbeans, the smart way to code!
Language=Multilingual
Trademarks=
InstallType=
[License]
Shareable=fals
OpenSource=true
Freeware=true
CommercialUse=true
EULAVersion=1
[Version]
PackageVersion=6.9.1
DisplayVersion=6.9.1 (English)
[SpecialPaths]
Plugins=NONE
[Dependencies]
UsesJava=true
[Control]
Icons=1
Start=.\App\NetBeans\netbeans\bin\netbeans.exe
ExtractIcon=.\App\NetBeans\netbeans\bin\netbeans.exe
AdditionalParameters=--jdkhome ..\CommonFiles\jdk1.6.0_22\ --userdir .\Data\.netbeans\6.9.1 -J-Xms32m -J-Xmx512m
installer.ini:
[DownloadFiles]
DownloadURL=http://dlc.sun.com.edgesuite.net/netbeans/6.9.1/final/zip/netbeans-6.9.1...
DownloadName=NetBeans Installer
DownloadFilename=netbeans-6.9.1-201007282301-ml-javase.zip
AdditionalInstallSize=264,000
AdvancedExtract1To=App\NetBeans
AdvancedExtract1Filter=**
The launcher is there for people that don't use the PA.c Platform. You can use the PA.c Launcher and just set it to run App\NetBeans\netbeans\bin\netbeans.exe. But the launcher has to be there for consistency. Some people will expect to be able to download it, install it, open up the NetBeansPortable directory and just run an EXE.
Also, your packageversion is wrong. It needs to be 4 numbers so add .0 to the end.
I'll do that. But what about the download + installer issue?
You have to add a launcher to the root. No ifs ands or buts.
Is there a way to have the exe downloaded and used in the installer creation? When you create the installer the exe is not there as it is downloaded during installation.
Is this scenario addressed somewhere else? If not should I open a feature request?
[duplicate post removed by mod JTH]
As already stated, you should place a launcher like the PA.c Launcher in the root directory and then have any files downloaded placed in App\AppName. That way there is definitely an EXE in the root -- even if the download fails -- that can be used by the user and will let the user know if the app's EXE is missing. This is part of the PortableApps.com Format Specification. Again, this is by design... meaning it is purposely done this way to ensure that no user is ever stuck and confused by an app that didn't fully install. As such, there is no need for a feature request because this arrangement is purposeful and done with good reason.
All you need to do is place a launcher in the root directory that kicks off the app and will let the user know it is not there. You can do this with the PA.c Launcher by using a VERY simple launcher.ini such as. Just create a directory called Launcher within App\AppInfo. In there, create a text file called AppNamePortable.ini and within it place this (edited with your app details, of course):
[Launch] ProgramExecutable=AppName\AppName.exe WorkingDirectory=%PAL:AppDir%\AppName
Then download the PortableApps.com Launcher and run it, browsing to your AppNamePortable directory and have it generate the launcher for you.
[Note from Chris: you'll need at least a skeleton App\AppInfo\appinfo.ini as well:]
[Details] AppID=AppNamePortable
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