I develop a standalone runtime DB consisting of 2 main parts: DB & Interface (the mentioned FM separation model/aapproach).

I'm going to use the Inno Setup installer (of course because it's free).

But there's a problem:

AFAIUI if a user reinstalls my product (a usual solution if there're any fails/doubts with programs), this installer will rewrite (delete) the active DB file (with the user's data) !?

What to do? To create, f.ex., database.fm7, to rename it into, f.x., database.initial and the users should rename it themselves back into database.fm7 after installing the program.

Then after reinstalling the active DB file (database.fm7) won't be erased/rewritten (only database.initial will be rewritten).

Not a very good solution to train user to rename any files.

Or maybe to create a script to rename database.initial if database.fm7 is absent?

I'm a novice and I don't know the right approach in such a situation. What is the right solution?

Thanks!

Edited January 30, 200619 yr by Guest

Don't know Inno Setup, but all decent installers have some sort of scripting language built-in so that you can take actions right there in the installer. Like detecting if there is already a data file, archiving it or not,...

all decent installers have some sort of scripting language

I'm not an IT specialist, but I suppose it is a too expensive solution.

This "scripting language" (Industry-Standard InstallScript) in FLEXnet InstallShield 11.5 Professional costs $1399.

http://www.macrovision.com/products/flexnet_installshield/installshield/features/all_by_version.html

http://shop.installshield.com/pricelist/default.asp

I don't think Wim was talking about InstallShield, which is both expensive and the last time I looked, not easy to use. I use Setup Factory, which has a scripting language, but is not as cheap as Inno Setup.

Steve