NSIS SFX Package Builder

Author: Red Wine (talk, contrib)

Links

Download

• Nsfx_pbr.zip (82 KB) current release.

Debate

• Winamp Forums thread - bug's report

Description

Just another sfx package creator written in whole using NSIS scripting lang. The benefit of its use is that it builds small self extracting packages using lzma compression, thus, the implementation of the small NSIS exe header. Moreover, it has a simple, straight forward, a few clicks mode user interface.
The application consists mainly of two instances called NSIS Sfx Package Builder and NSIS Sfx Package Extractor.
Builder is the user interface where users with just a few clicks, they can select files that reside in a folder, or even a whole directory structure, and place them in a self extracting package ready for distribution.
Extractor is the resultant distributed package. With its simple user interface, its mainly purpose is to extract the packaged files/directories in a selected path on the target computer, reconstructing the original directory structure if any.

• Requires an active NSIS installation on systems where building packages.
• Partially based on RecFind.nsh by Afrow UK - thanks Stu!
• In deep based on NSIS - thanks NSIS
• Comments and suggestions are welcome.
• Source code provided by request.

ScreenShots

NSIS Sfx Package Builder		NSIS Sfx Package Extractor

Versions History

1.05.02.2006

• Added future to set compression method.
  

Builder

• Gui improvements.
  

1.04.09.2006

• Added future to select zip arhive as source (zip2Exe capability).
• Application's stability improved to the topmost desired level.
• Code cleaning performed, therefore removed no needed anymore functions as RecFind.nsh.
  
• To accomplish the new (Zip2Exe) future, involves Nsisunz_plug-in from wiki.
  

Builder

• GUI changes to suit the added future Zip2Exe.
  

ToDo!

• Alternative future to select rar arhive beyond zip (hard working on this).
• Code cleaning and transformation of all needed functions to system plugin.
• More or less, the creation of a futured NSIS script creator.
  

1.04.02.2006

• Changes in this release are focused mainly in application's stability and solid operation in user interaction mode.
  

To accomplish the futures were added, involves the following plugins/functions from wiki:
GetDrives
Get_File_Size_using_the_system_plugin
CheckSpaceFree
DirState
GetSize
GetVersion_(Windows)_plug-in

Builder

• Calculates package's uncompressed size and pass it to extractor.
  
• Does not accept invalid source path entry.
  
• Does not accept empty directories and/or subdirectories.
  
• Does not accept a whole HDD as source.
  
• Warn users if source is removable CDROM, Memory Card etc.
  
• Warn users if source is zero data size.
  
• Does not accept invalid output path entry.
  
• Calculates target's free space whether is sufficient to store the package.
  
• Some minor additions.
  

Extractor

• Does not accept invalid output path entry.
  
• Calculates target's free space whether is sufficient for decompressed package.
  
• Some minor additions.
  
  

1.03.27.2006

• 1st release is stable enough to go out. Please test it and report bugs.

Disclaimer

NSIS SFX Package Builder is a Win 32 application and it is fully tested for being compatible with Windows XP SP 2.
Unfortunately, because I am unable to confirm the full compatibility with all Windows platforms, this forewarning should take place here.
You may use the application at your own risk.
Because of its dependency on NSIS, it is most likely that there is not any compatibility issue with all Windows 32 platforms since NSIS supports them all.
Though, in the most unlikely case to encounter problems, you must agree that you use it at your own risk.