The first sentence says "standalone and portable apps". Are these two different things?
What exactly is PortableApps.com format?
What does "custom command line parameters" mean? Is it something to do with the Windows command prompt?
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Questions about "adding other apps to the portableapps.com menu"
July 27, 2024 - 11:03am
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Questions about "adding other apps to the portableapps.com menu"
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To answer "What exactly is PortableApps.com format?": https://portableapps.com/development/portableapps.com_format
Use Portable Apps on both Flash Drive and HDD/SSD.
A standalone app would be a single EXE app. PA.c Format has been linked above. The command line parameters refers to the fact that some non PA.c Format apps require something passed to the EXE when starting it to enable portable mode. For example launching something as:
myapp.exe --portablemode=on
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"a single exe app" as opposed to what? Do you mean an exe that doesn't write anything at all to storage?
Passed via what? Is the command line the same as the command prompt, or does it refer to something else?
I didn't realise that the portable version of an app could be a different mode, rather than an entirely separate exe.
How does the platform handle apps that aren't in paf.c format?
How exactly do I create the ini file? I understand the basic structure of one, but what needs to go in it?
For clarification: if I were to launch the program manually, rather than via the launcher, the ini file wouldn't do anything, correct?
Meaning an app that's just a single EXE file rather than a bunch of different files as most apps are (Firefox itself is 62 files in 10 folders, for instance).
Parameters refers to things passed to an EXE as in the example above. It has nothing to do with running an app from a command line/terminal window. Windows GUI apps pass things to each other via the command line parameters all the time. It's how your browser knows what URL to open after you click a link in your email client.
You can create the INI file using something like Notepad++ Portable. What needs to be in it is explained on the page specifically. It's just those two lines. The INI file is only used by the PA.c Platform. The app itself will ignore it.
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How do I know what parameters I can use? You gave me an example, but I want a comprehensive list. If the parameters vary by app, I want you to tell me how to determine them.
How does the platform handle apps that aren't in pa.c format?
Thanks for the clarification.
You'll have to look in the documentation for every single app to see what, if any, are available. We don't support individual apps like that. We just provide the means to let you do things with them manually. That's why PA.c Format is so much easier.
It handles non-PA.c Format apps by just running the EXE. That's why there's that INI file we're discussing to help a little bit.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
What does the platform do for apps that ARE in pa.c format? I'd like a step by step breakdown if possible.
Also, I have a question about the launcher. How does it convert absolute file paths to relative paths, as well as change where those paths point to? Wouldn't that require editing the code?
Most of the work in PA.c Format apps is handled by the PA.c Launcher (AppNamePortable.exe) included with the app itself. It handles things like updating paths, etc. The platform will pass along environment variables for paths, language, etc. Please see the documentation here: https://portableapps.com/manuals/PortableApps.comLauncher/
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I don't understand. I thought the purpose of the launcher was to REWRITE software into pa.c format, and it was just a misnomer. Now you're saying each app has its own launcher?
https://portableapps.com/apps/development/portableapps.com_launcher
It says "once you've updated your app to the current pa.c format specification". What handles that update? Or is "your app" referring to the launcher itself?
Updating to PA.c Format is intended for developers updating the app they wrote or maintain into PA.c Format, not for end users. Every app has its own launcher. Named similarly to AppNamePortable.exe. That handles portablization. Generally, no code is required to be written for this. If you're not a developer, this is not intended for you.
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So not other people's apps? What exactly does "portabilization" mean? Is it carried out at runtime?
As we appear to be going in circles, please read the documentation in the Support section. You've asked multiple questions multiple times that are already clearly answered there. I don't believe I can help you further until you learn more about what it is you're asking about.
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I can't find the support section for the launcher, only for the platform. But I guess it doesn't matter.
On a different topic, what would the platform do if there's multiple exe files in a single folder? Does it automatically select one to run, can I manually select one, or does it refuse/show an error message?
Click the Development section above and click PA.c Launcher Manual. It describes all the features and functionality of the launcher for developers.
As for multiple EXEs. Just try it. It shows them all.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Oh, it's in development.
Can I use the launcher to portabilize apps I didn't make?
Please read the instructions. It says right on the PA.c Launcher homepage that that's what the PA.c Launcher is for.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!