About
VMware InstallBuilder is a development tool for creating cross-platform installers for desktop and server software. With InstallBuilder, you can quickly create dynamic, professional installers for Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, Solaris, and other platforms from a single project file and build environment. In addition to installers, InstallBuilder will generate RPM and Debian packages, as well as multi-platform CD/DVDs. The automatic update feature makes it easy to deliver updates directly to users after they install your software.
Features:
Powerful user interface for installer development
• Develop installers using an intuitive GUI or by editing XML-based installer project files.
• Built-in actions automate the addition of commonly needed features to installers.
• Make platform-specific settings while maintaining one project file for all platforms.
Installers for any desktop or server environment
• Create installers for Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, IRIX, FreeBSD and others.
• Create RPMs, Debian packages and multi-platform DVDs or CD-ROMs.
• Installers work in graphical, text and automatic modes.
Convenience for developers
• The included debugger allows you to test installers as you develop and identify areas for troubleshooting.
• Command line interface provides integration with build and testing systems.
• Human-friendly XML-based project files support version control integration and installer customization using external scripts.
Support for dynamic parameters
• Expanded parameter support allows you to create dynamic pages that will automatically reconfigure based on user input. This allows you to create a more personalized and simplified installation experience for users.
Expanded component functionality
InstallBuilder provides support for downloadable components and groups of components, including support for subcomponents. Downloadable components will only be downloaded at runtime if the user chooses to install them, reducing the size of installer downloads. The InstallBuilder component system allows you to group individual components and sets of assembly functions that will be displayed in a tree structure (“subcomponents”). It also allows users to add and remove specific components from existing installations.
Extended Documentation
There are now over 350 pages of documentation available for InstallBuilder. The documentation not only explains all of InstallBuilder's features, but also provides code examples for a wide range of installer features, such as bundling the Java runtime environment, defining system prerequisites, offering basic and advanced installation modes, and more.