Automation Overview

InstallAware ships with an automation interface that can be used to programmatically emit and build complete setup projects. The automation interface is available as both a standard Win32 DLL, callable from any Windows application, and as a COM object, for use in ASP scripts on a web server. Use the interface that is most convenient for your project requirements.

Starting with InstallAware NX, the automation interface is also available as a .NET assembly, suitable for use within the entire .NET eco-system.

Starting with InstallAware X14, the automation interface is also available as a standard Win64 DLL.

Win32 DLL

The Win32 DLL may be used by any application which is capable of calling standard Windows DLLs. The DLL exports several functions and can perform the following tasks:

• Emit installation scripts
• Emit project files
• Build projects

Example projects using the DLL, including headers for the DLL, are located in the Automation\Examples folder inside your InstallAware installation folder.

Please see the runtime files section for information on where to locate the DLL and its dependencies.

Win64 DLL

The Win64 DLL is a 64-bit version of the Win32 DLL, however it lacks functionality to build projects. It may only emit setup scripts and project files. It does not have any dependency files, unlike the Win32 DLL.

COM Object

The COM object is ideal for scripting access to the automation interface from ASP pages on a web server. This way, you could generate a custom install dynamically from a web page, build it, and deliver it to the site visitor. The COM object implements the IDispatch interface and provides the following functionality:

• Emit installation scripts
• Build projects

An example ASP page which uses the interface, as well as the COM object itself, are found in the Automation\Web Support folder inside your InstallAware installation folder.

Please see the runtime files section for information on where to locate the object and its dependencies.

.NET Assembly

A .NET assembly is available starting with InstallAware NX which exposes the automation interface to the entire .NET eco-system. Examples are provided for building C# and ASP.NET applications. An MFC example is also available (note that this example does not require the .NET assembly, and natively invokes the Win32 DLL). The InstallAware .NET assembly lets you perform the following functions:

• Emit installation scripts
• Emit project files
• Build projects

Example projects, as well as documentation for the .NET assembly, are provided at the following locations:

• The MFC example is located inside the Automation\Examples\MfcAutomation folder inside your InstallAware installation folder.
• The C# example is located inside the Automation\Examples\NetAutomation folder inside your InstallAware installation folder.
• The ASP.NET example is located inside the Automation\Web Support\AspNetAutomation folder inside your InstallAware installation folder.

Please see the runtime files section for information on where to locate the assembly and its dependencies.