NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System)

[FoBoT]

http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Main_Page

I use this a lot for my job, does anyone else here use it? I :heart: NSIS
I have built an entire Remote Management System using this and VBScript/Batch files that we use where I work

Features

NSIS can create Windows installers that are capable of installing, uninstalling, setting system settings, extracting files, etc. Because NSIS is based on script files, you can create both simple and advanced installers.

Small overhead size
NSIS is created to be small, fast and and efficient. While other installers often add hundreds of kilobytes or several megabytes to your installer data, a full-featured NSIS installer has an overhead of only 34 KB.

Compatible with all major Windows versions
You can create a single installer that is compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista.

Unique compression methods
You can choose between three different integrated compression methods (ZLib, BZip2, LZMA). The new LZMA compression gives better results than any other common compression method. You don't have to use large self-extracting archive modules or other applications. The compression support is included in the 34 KB overhead.

Script based
Unlike other systems that can only generate installers based on a list of files and registry keys, NSIS has a powerful scripting language. This script language is designed for installers and has commands that help you to perform many installation tasks. You can easily add custom logic and handle different upgrades, version checks and more.

For standard installers or as a starting point for more complex ones, you can use one of the available script generation tools.

this is the support forum for it

http://forums.winamp.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=65

 

[dwell]

I use it. It's nice but the scripting system feels a little archaic.

 

[FoBoT]

that is actually why i like it and picked it up so fast, i am NOT a programmer, i can't write C/C++ or Java, no "normal" programming languages

I learned Apple Basic and some assembler back in the '80's and some VBScript in the '90's , so the syntax and "model" fits me like a glove. i use NSIS for very complex and non "installer" tasks, just make the "installer" silent and do a bunch of stuff and I call them "programs" :laugh:

 

[mundane]

I have tried NSIS and IzPack, but our programs are never meant to be widely distributable, so there isn't much motivation to package installers. I found I was using them more as a build/packaging tool, and recently replaced them with Ant scripts.

 

[dighn]

I use this for work, as part of a remote upgrade mechanism and for GUI installers.

The great thing about it is that it is so flexible. With the scripting system and plugins, you can pretty much do anything a real programming language can do. It allows us to add new features and work around bugs with ease.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: dighn
With the scripting system and plugins, you can pretty much do anything a real programming language can do. It allows us to add new features and work around bugs with ease.

yes, it lets me pretend i am a programmer

 

[Ken g6]

I just started using it. The scripting language is really weird, like PHP with assembly-language registers. I wonder why they did that?

 

[geoff2k]

We use it in our project, and while it is certainly cheaper than the pro-tools out there (can't beat free), adding functionality always seems to be a matter of scanning the wiki for plugins of dubious quality, finding one that kind of does what you want, then extending it and fixing up the plugin code. The documentation could also use some work, and it wouldn't hurt if there were a book or two out for it to help n00bs get up to speed.

 

[Aikouka]

I used to use it when I had an add-on pack for friends in WoW. As odd as it seems to create an installer for that, the easier a process involving lots of the files, the better. I found it having quite a lot of options, but the language was weird. Pretty easy to use though, especially if you just want a basic installer.

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: Ken_g6
I just started using it. The scripting language is really weird, like PHP with assembly-language registers. I wonder why they did that?

That's what I hate about it. Who wants to push operands on a stack to make a function call. That's prehistoric. Anyone used Installshield or MSI? I'd like to know how easy they are to use and how robust they are.

 

[neelakurdinger]

I use NSIS a lot instead of Install shield. However I have once question from you and that is does your Antivirus program detect programs that use NSIS as a threat (false positive)