Creating an Installer using Izpack

Izpack

Introduction

Izpack is a tool used for packaging applications using the Java platform. Izpack can be used to make installers that can work on multiple Operating systems including Microsoft Windows, Linux, Solaris and Mac OS X.

Izpack installers are defined using XML.

Documentation:

Outdated: http://izpack.org/documentation/index.html

Documentation Wiki: http://docs.codehaus.org/display/IZPACK/User+documentation

Implementation in Clotho 3.0:

The Izpack folder can be found in: /izpack

The files essential for building the Clotho 3.0 installer can be found in : /izpack/bin/

Explaining the directory structure:

Dependencies required for the installer can be found by clicking on this Dropbox Link

1. /izpack/bin/langpacks/installer : Contains the CustomLang.xml which has the custom messages that can be modified to appear in each frame (window panel) of the installer
2. /izpack/bin/resources/mongodb : Has MongoDB ver: 2.4.10 based on the operating system (Mac OS X, Windows, Linux : 32 and 64 bits).
   • /izpack/bin/resources/mongodb/win/mongodb_32win_2_4_10
   • /izpack/bin/resources/mongodb/win/mongodb_64win_2_4_10
   • /izpack/bin/resources/mongodb/linux/mongodb_32lin_2_4_10
   • /izpack/bin/resources/mongodb/linux/mongodb_64lin_2_4_10
   • /izpack/bin/resources/mongodb/mac/mongodb_64mac_2_4_10
3. /izpack/bin/resources/mongodb/dbFolder : Contains the /data/db folder, which is where MongoDB stores the database.
4. /izpack/bin/resources/exe : Contains the Clotho Starter executable.
5. /izpack/bin/resources/clothoExe : Contains the Clotho jar.
6. /izpack/bin/resources/docs : Contains Clotho documents (for eg: License)
7. /izpack/bin/images : Contains images used in the frames (window panels) of the installer.

Building the compiler:

(Currently resides in the installer branch)

1. Go to the dropbox link
2. Copy the following:
   1. Contents of /clothoEXE/ to /izpack/bin/resources/clothoEXE/
   2. Contents of /exe/ to /izpack/bin/resources/exe/
   3. Contents of /clothoEXE/ to /izpack/bin/resources/clothoEXE/
3. Navigate to /izpack/bin
4. Copy the "packs" section from packs.xml (corresponding to your operating system) to install.xml
5. Based on your operating system, type the following command in your terminal or cmd :
   • Linux: ./compile ./install.xml -b . -o installer.jar -k standard
   • Mac OS x: ./compile ./install.xml -b . -o installer.jar -k standard
   • Windows: compile install.xml -b . -o installer.jar -k standard