Summary
This article contains steps on how to access the SUPPORTDIR property from a deferred, commit, or rollback custom action through InstallScript.Synopsis
As a result of changes in the InstallScript Architecture, it is necessary to get SUPPORTDIR from the MSI engine instead of relying on the InstallScript variable to access files included in the SUPPORTDIR. Normally, you can use MsiGetProperty to access the SUPPORTDIR property from the MSI package. In deferred, commit, or rollback custom action, however, it would be necessary to pass this property in through CustomActionData.
Discussion
The following steps will allow you to access the SUPPORTDIR property from a deferred, commit, or rollback custom action through InstallScript. Not following these steps will result in an invalid or incorrect SUPPORTDIR value and errors will likely result.
- Create a Set Property Custom Action. called GetSUPPORTDIR, with the following parameters, leaving all the others blank
a) Property Name: DisplaySupportDir
b) Property Value: [SUPPORTDIR]
c) Install Exec Sequence: After InstallInitialize - Create a new InstallScript setup.rul and create a new function (DisplaySupportDir in this case)
- Add the following code to display a message box containing the value of SUPPORTDIR
function DisplaySupportDir(hMSI)
STRING supportDirPath;
NUMBER supportDirPathBuffer;
begin
supportDirPathBuffer = MAX_PATH;
if(MsiGetProperty(hMSI,"CustomActionData",supportDirPath,supportDirPathBuffer) == ERROR_SUCCESS) then
SprintfBox(INFORMATION,"Deferred Execution","The value of SUPPORTDIR is %s",supportDirPath);
SprintfBox(INFORMATION,"Deferred Execution","The value of InstallScript's SUPPORTDIR is %s",SUPPORTDIR);
endif;
end; - Create an InstallScript Custom Action with the name DisplaySupportDir with the following parameters
a) Function Name: DisplaySupportDir
b) In-Script Execution: Deferred Execution in System Context
c) Install Exec Sequence: After GetSUPPORTDIR
Additional Information
Versions of InstallShield older than InstallShield 12 should be able to access SUPPORTDIR without following the above processes.For more information on SUPPORTDIR please reference the HelpNET article Using Support Files.
For more information on this limitation and other considerations for deferred execution custom actions, see MSND Library article Obtaining Context Information for Deferred Execution Custom Actions.
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