SetupBuilder
SetupBuilder - Powerful and easy to use Installation Authoring and Configuration Management
Deploying any kind of software application is one of the most complex tasks you face as a developer It's difficult to prepare an application correctly for installation on every possible system configuration and provide deployment options SetupBuilder attempts to help you do it all

As rapid application development (RAD) tools have become commonplace, simplifying the development process and reducing project life cycles, the ability to create smooth, efficient applications in less time often means needing to deploy them just as quickly SetupBuilder is a Rapid Setup Development and Configuration Management tool for Windows Vista/2003/XP/2000/NT4 and Me/98/95

If you distribute software to others - within a department, company, or to the public - ensuring that your users can install the software smoothly should be a major concern SetupBuilder 5 can help ease your mind

Unlike the monolithic installation technologies available today, SetupBuilder 5 has been designed from the ground up to deliver a perfect fusion of installation authoring, web deployment, configuration management, and scripting technologies When MSI is simply not enoughuse SetupBuilder 5

In addition to all functions found in SetupBuilder Professional, the Developer Edition flagship provides advanced features such as Web Installation and Web Update (live update) for creating dynamic Internet-based installations (powered by iDeploy), Windows x64 (64-bit) support, Integrated Visual Debugger, multi-language support, MultiVersion file updater (multi-version patch), Delayed File Install support, customizable Uninstaller, Windows Services support, built-in support for Authenticode Digital Signatures, Serial Number Generator, HTTP Post and File Downloading functions, AutoUpdate Generator, Online Registration, Dynamic Scanning, Zip and Unzipping, built-in installation support for SoftVelocity's IP Data Server (IPDS), MapDrive and NetShare functions

Here are some key features of SetupBuilder

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
SetupBuilder provides a task-based IDE Even those who have never programmed an installation before can develop one in less than ten minutes Context-sensitive help is embedded at every step

Visualizer
The intuitive interface, called Visualizer, is a wizard-based series of screens that walk the developer through the installation authoring process

Ready for Windows Vista
SetupBuilder gets you ready for Windows Vista It provides support for important new Windows Vista security functionality and ensures that users are asked to authenticate themselves only once

Windows x64 Support
Build installations for both pure 64-bit applications and hybrid applications that mix 32-bit and 64-bit code

Windows Server 2003 Support
Conditionally install your application if the target system is running Windows Server 2003

Microsoft NET Support
Add NET Assembly into the Global Assembly Cache (GAC)

NET Compile on Install
Pre-compile your assemblies as soon as they are installed, ensuring fast load times the first time they are run

NET COM Interop Registration
Automatically have your assemblies registered for COM Interoperability on the target system

International Language Support
SetupBuilder offers unsurpassed support for multilingual installations right out of the box One installation can automatically handle up to 29 runtime languages

Powerful Scripting Facility
With over 400 predefined setup-related functions, the point-and-click SetupScript language gives you flexibility in any part of the installation, including user dialog sequence, file transfer, error handling, reboot, and even uninstallation

Ultra Compact and Fast Installer Engine
No matter how fast your Net connection is, bandwidth is a precious resource SetupBuilder has always been the industry-leader in low-overhead, high-performance software installers and we are committed to staying leaps ahead of the competition

Internet-based Installations (Web Install)
SetupBuilder's Internet distribution technology, called iDeploy, allows you to very easily deploy and update your applications over the Internet It offers complete control and flexibility for electronic software distribution and reduces your company's support costs

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Notify Users of Application Updates (Web Update)
Web Update provides an easy and royalty-free way for software application developers to simply add live Internet version updating to any program You can give your software a more dynamic feel to it by providing real-time download of upgrades to those users who need it most

Delta Updates (Binary Patching)
Create industry-standard byte-level patch installations to distribute repairs and updates That makes product improvements, beta testing and bug fixes a whole lot easier

Multi-version File Updater
SetupBuilder allows you to create multi-version patch files Multiple patch files update multiple versions of a given file set You can now apply a patch file that updates versions 1 and/or 2 etc of a program to version 3

Auto Update Generator
This feature takes an existing product folder tree and compares it to the folder containing your newer files It can generate the update files for any files that have changed It can also include any new files that have been added

setupPROTECT Support
SetupBuilder can help you manage access to your software With its powerful Serial Number feature, you can quickly create thousands of unique serial numbers The Subscription Key technology is well suited for software subscription services in which the end-users subscribe, for instance on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, etc basis Your installer data is only accessible to those users who supply a valid serial number and subscription key

Password Protected Installs
The author of an installation can incorporate one or more passwords for the installation The user would be required to enter a password for the installation to complete

Online Registration Support
SetupBuilder allows the user to register your program after the installation has been completed successfully The installer will do a HTTP POST operation to pass data to the web server A CGI program on your server can then retrieve the data

Atomic Clock Time Support
SetupBuilder lets you retrieve the time from a NIST Internet Time Service host The NIST Internet Time Service uses multiple stratum-1 time servers

Include Scripts Support
Organize your scripts and make them modular This feature lets the active script include the entire contents of another script file The SetupScript language is based on the concept that the core language may be extended or expanded by writing include scripts Programmers have access to the source code and can alter it to fit their unique needs

Include Script Library
SetupBuilder provides a library of include scripts that perform very specific tasks You don't have to waste time writing tedious code to do the things that are built-in right into SetupBuilder

Core PreRequisites
SetupBuilder provides point-and-click support for core pre-requisites (eg NET Framework 30, Windows Installer 31, J# 20, etc) The Core PreRequisites feature makes it possible to streamline the installation process and to ensure the pre-requisite components are in place

Redistributable Manager
The Redistributable Manager lets you obtain the latest available redistributable files from our web server

ODBC Support
SetupBuilder lets you install ODBC drivers, data sources and translators

Launch Extension Scripts or Files
Extend your installation's capabilities by using VBScript, EXE, MSI, or functions in DLL files

API Calling
API Calling gives you the ability to call Windows API from your installation script without writing C code

Import Registry Settings
Rather than typing tedious registry settings by hand, you can now import registry files (*reg) into your installation

Visual Script Debugger
Troubleshoot your installations by monitoring it as it runs SetupBuilder includes a real debugger for solving any problems with your scripts

Flexible Uninstall and Rollback Support
The uninstall feature follows a clean removal logic to return the target computer to its state prior to the application being installed It can also perform setup rollback if an installation fails

Customizable Uninstaller
SetupBuilder gives developers total control over the uninstallation process Fully customizable, the uninstaller can be enhanced with dialogs and functions added by the developer

Custom Dialogs
For instances where you want to add custom dialogs, SetupBuilder incorporates that ability, too With SetupBuilder, you can even opt to completely discard the standard installation interface for your own, making the installation a more personal experience for your organization

Custom Graphics
Using any standard Windows Bitmap, it is easy to incorporate your own custom graphics such as company logos, splash screens, etc

Silent Installs
Create silent installations that operate without displaying user interface dialogs, prompts, messages or errors

Scheduled Task Support
Schedule any script, program, or document to run at a time that is most convenient for you Scheduled Tasks run in the background, and it starts each task that you schedule at the time that you specify when you create the task

Media Spanning for Large Applications
Media spanning functionality enables you to build an installation that spans more than one CD, or other media

AuthentiCode™ Technology
SetupBuilder supports AuthentiCode™ This technology provides a secure method of distributing applications If a distribution has been signed using AuthentiCode™ technology, you can rest assured it is from a trusted source

Multiple Build Configurations
Use the same project to build different versions of code, such as full and trial builds

Reusable Project Templates
If you consistently use the same default settings in your installation routines, you can create installation templates that can be used as starting points for your installs

Portable Projects
Easily move projects from one drive to another or from one machine to another

Dynamic Include and Exclude File Linking
Dynamically include or exclude any number of files at build time using power filter masks Saves time because you don't need to add or remove files individually

Static File Dependency Scanners
The static scanner searches all of the files that are part of your application

Dynamic File Dependency Scanners
The dynamic scanner watches a running application and identifies all the files that are called

Command Line Compiler
Automate your installation build process by building your project from the command line

Conditional Features
Conditional features allow you to break a complex installation into multiple parts You can use conditional features to build a single package that supports a partial installation of your product You can create a single installation that provides this flexibility

Operating System Filtering
Create one installation that supports multiple operating systems by filtering files specific to Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, 2000, NT4, Me, 98 and 95

System Requirements Checking
Easily enforce system requirements just by clicking a few boxes Built-in checks include operating system, NET Framework version, memory, screen resolution, color depth and administrator privileges

Zip and Unzip Support
SetupBuilder lets you add zip and unzip functionality to your installer quickly and easily When the situation calls for it, you'll be able to extract files from a ZIP archive for further processing or create industry-compatible ZIP archives

Standard User Interface
There is no need to worry about the look and feel of the software installation unless you want to SetupBuilder creates the installation interface for you with the look and feel of standard Windows program installations The installation screens are familiar since most applications use the same type of interface for installation

Works with Windows 95 and Up
While other installer tools are dropping support for older operating systems such as Windows 95 and 98, we believe that your choice of installation builder shouldn't limit your potential market Setups created with SetupBuilder work just fine on every Windows operating system from Windows 95 to Vista and beyond

Documentation Available as Printable pdf File
The documentation for SetupBuilder is available as an indistry-standard pdf file


Limitations

You may not distribute any setup created with the evaluation version
The setups you create will disable themselves after 14 days


What's New in This Release

Vista and Windows Server 2008 Support, NET Support, Core PreRequisites, Scripting Engine, Web Install, Web Update (Live Update), Binary Patch, Software Subscription and Serial Numbers (setupPROTECT), Bug Fixes, 64-bit Support, Release Management