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Can someone help me to create my first portable app?

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July 30, 2008 - 9:59am
#1
robertosilva05
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Can someone help me to create my first portable app?

I need someone or step by step tutorial that can help me to create my first portable app.

Thanks

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July 30, 2008 - 1:25pm
digitxp
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I'm

in the process of making one, but it'll take a while.
For now, just use this place.

Insert original signature here with Greasemonkey Script.

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July 30, 2008 - 2:06pm
OliverK
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Use the search box to find
  1. Use the search box to find out if someone's done the work or some of the work for you. Search PortableApps.com.
  2. Become familiar with the launchers available. For instance:
    • XChat Portable redirects the Path, and GTK directories.
    • Notepad++ Portable Moves files and then adjusts them so that any open files from your flash drive will now open on your new host.
    • 7-Zip Portable deals with the registry entries made by 7-zip.
  3. Determine the license. Is it OSS or another type of license? If its OSS, you can post all of the launcher and the program on the forums. If its closed source, well, you can post a launcher, similiar to what I've done here, only. Why is this first? Well, you have to decide if its worth the work.
  4. Determine the programing language. .Net? Sorry. While some don't care, alot of people here despise .net, as its not installed on all computers. See this link for a whole discussion on the subject of .net.
  5. Get the tools. Load up- you'll need them. I whole heartedly suggest the use of HM NIS Edit (Portable) Select either the download Containing NSIS of, if you already have installed NSIS, Just HM NIS Edit.
    You'll need regshot. Here's the link for that: Regshot. Alternately, you can use Process Monitor to figure out what registry entries its reading. I also suggest picking up Notepad ++. Just in case.

    6. Feel your head is about to explode? There's More Biggrin

  6. Download your program. Now, fire up regshot and take a regshot of the computer by scanning the C drive, more on that in a minute, before installation. Go have a cup of coffee or a can of Mountain Dew. Don't touch the computer! You'll get extra registry entries.
  7. Install your program and run it a couple of times. Do NOTHING else during this time
  8. Take second regshot and then compare the results. Save it a html, it produces a nicer printout then .txt
  9. Figure out where the program is saving files. Check C:/Documents and Settings/UserName/Application Data for %appdata%. If you scan the entire C:\ Drive with regshot, those changes should show up.
  10. Find a base launcher that deals with those issues.
  11. Adjust the launcher to reflect the changes you need made
  12. Compile, test, and adjust
  13. When it works, drop a note with it in the Beta Testing Forum. Let us have at it.

Well, that about sums it up. Any specific questions, give post, and we'll be happy to help.

Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world

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July 30, 2008 - 2:21pm
(Reply to #3)
digitxp
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Woo,

you gave me the exact script I needed to make that tutorial on how to make a PApp (which hopefull isn't as pathetic as the ad I made in the Off Topic Forum)

Insert original signature here with Greasemonkey Script.

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July 31, 2008 - 6:25am
(Reply to #4)
r.andom
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My two cents

Thanks a lot, Oliver!

As I think your post is important and helpful for new developers, I suggest to post it as a new thread. That would open the possibility to edit it later when links change or new versions of the mentioned software are published (e.g. today there's a new version of HM NIS Edit Portable). I'd like to see your post made sticky then.

Some comments on details:
The subject could be more expressive. How about something like New developers quick guide or similar?
(2) You may include links to the mentioned launchers.
(3) You may clarify that PortableApps.com is dedicated to Open Source Software.
(4) How about Java? As I understood there's the Java Portablizer, but there is not yet an Open Source JRE. So use of Java applications is somehow limited.
(5) Instead of the local version of Process Monitor you might point to the portable version (you know this one;)
(6) One should mention that the application should not have been installed on the computer before. Otherwise the regshot results might be incomplete.
(11) You might point to this Development Test - Forum Posting Layout sticky post.

What's missing?
A link to the installer would be great.
I'd appreciate hints for localization of apps and installers. That's not so important for native English speakers, but for people from the rest of the world (like me ;).
Maybe a link to the IRC channel would be helpful to get instant answers from other developers.
Last not least: Does anybody know a good detailed online user guide and/or tutorial for NSIS? If so, a link to it should be integrated in your post.

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July 31, 2008 - 5:23am
TaffinFoxcroft
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theres some problems with the

theres some problems with the INI file moving in HM NIS Edit Portable atm, so try to hold off on recommending it until i fix them.
EDIT: fixed in dev test 7.
linky of NSIS preconfigured:
http://cubegames.net/taneth/uploads/HM_NIS_Edit_Portable_NSIS_Preconfigu...

But there’s no sense crying over every mistake,
You just keep on trying till you run out of cake.

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July 31, 2008 - 9:53am
robertosilva05
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Understanding nsi files

I'm almost there! Thanks for help!

Following the sugestions, I tried to make 7-Zip portable (I know it already exists, but I want to learn the process). I created all folders according to the recommended layout.

Only the nsi files in source folder I copyed from 7-ZipPortable developed by PortableApps. Actually I'm trying to understand them.

I used regshot to take a snpashot of the computer and the final report points several chenges in regestry entries and files. Why 7-ZipPortable.nsi deals only with HKEYS_CURRENT_USER keys? What about the other keys?

Thanks again

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July 31, 2008 - 7:58pm
(Reply to #7)
OliverK
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Well, you'll generally see

Well, you'll generally see HKU/SXXXXXXXXX(random numbers\Whatever
I personally like to look throught the registry manually, but this may miss some things, so, its best to double check with regshot.

Win+R, regedit

Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world

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August 4, 2008 - 1:29pm
(Reply to #8)
David Dixon II
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HKEY_USERS

HKEY_USERS can be ignored. Its just the registry settings for your account, which is basically a copy of HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Wink

Na na na, come on!

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January 16, 2009 - 8:23pm
jaocon
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Another newbie trying to learn NSIS

I was trying to rebuild/compile the 7-zipPortable in NSISPortable like robertosilva05 mentioned above (so that I can learn NSIS a little easier/faster) but I get the following error:

Error in script "\PortableApps\7-ZipPortable\Other\Source\PortableApps.comInstaller.nsi" on line 540 -- aborting creation process

I check line 540 in Notepad++Portable and it seems to be checking for
`$0\PortableApps.com\App\PortableAppsPlatform.exe` which as far as I can tell doesn't exist (even tried to 7-zip a couple of exes - no luck). Is this a problem in the
..\7-ZipPortable\Other\Source\PortableApps.comInstaller.nsi or something wrong with my PortableApps install?

I have tried running the 7-zipPortable.nsi instead and that one seems to work but the outfile won't run - get another error...

Can you tell me the procedure I would need to get the 7-zipPortable compiled properly (probably something I don't know about NSIS...)?

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