[Resolved] - large number of files to install - fileinstall help

[xeroTechnologiesLLC]

Greetings,

I'm reviewing my program and getting it ready for distribution testing and here is the problem I'm running into:

I have a lot of icons I want the user to be able to access and utilize for the purpose of the program.

So the thought of writting nearly 800 lines "fileinstal(whatever)" is a bit...uhm...not so much with the fun.

Seeking options or work arounds since fileinstall needs a string literal location instead of an array or variable which is what i was using up until i RTFM and found out that won't work. :\

First theory:

Zip up the necessary files and write an installer program for it and somehow unzip the files into the right directories.

I don't mind writting installers for my software and have already had to do it for about 5 or 6 programs I've developed so it wouldn't be hard other than I don't know how to forcible unzip a file to a directory through autoit functions.

Second theory:

Zip file included in the main program and write the code directly into the program to unzip the files and such if they aren't available, or if they are - use them.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for ideas on mass file distribution with a program.

Edited July 18, 2012 by xeroTechnologiesLLC

[JohnOne]

I have seen a few fileinstall helper scripts which writes the code for you given a dir with files in.

But it's quite a simple function to write yourself, don't forget that is where autoit comes into its own

You can knock up a quick script in minutes to help you writing your own major script.

[Melba23]

xeroTechnologiesLLC,

Use the #AutoIt3Wrapper_Res_Icon_Add directive to add the icons to the resource table and then you can use them directly from the exe itself.

Look at the <Help - SciTE Help - Extra Utilities - AutoIt3Wrapper - Adding Icons to the program resources> for more details.

M23

[bogQ]

if you ask me i whud still write a script to write that part of the script

800 lines are 800 lines after all

Edited July 18, 2012 by bogQ

[Melba23]

bogQ,

You are quite right - I was thinking more of ease of access within the script itself.

But 800 odd icons!

I cannot wait to see the result!

M23

[xeroTechnologiesLLC]

The icons need to also be accessible to the user in a file directory structure so they can pick the icons they wish to use in their own themes, etc.

I did review the option Melba noted but didnt think that would work with the above caveat.

JohnOne,

Thank you...not sure why I didnt think about that. Mind isnt in it today I guess.

I'll give that a go and post back final results.

Thank you guys for the replies and input. Very grateful of all the time and assistance shared.

[xeroTechnologiesLLC]

Marking as resolved.

This did actually help me get a little better at string manipulation so it wasn't a total waste of my stupidity.

Thanks again as always guys.

1600 lines of code later I have the file installs and the GUICtrlSetData code for the label on the splash screen.

Redbull powers activate.

[Zedna]

Look here

[Xandy]

Redbull powers activate.

Whenever my monster's hit points are low, I return to the fridge.