<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> RayPack > 7.3 u6 > User Guide > Appendix II: How to Pick the Right Packaging Method  Original Software Resources

The software resources may be delivered in uncountable variety of formats. It might even come down to just a bunch of files and a list of destinations where to put them, and how to configure the environment. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to have one single packaging method that covers them all? One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and, well, build them?

 

Here are good news: Within RayPack there is such a tool - the PackRecorder. Its technology of taking two snapshots, one before and another one after installation, allows to manipulate installation and configuration steps in any desired way. Therefore, the PackRecorder can be used on any challenging software material, and build standardized packages from it.

 

But, and of course there is a but, otherwise it would not be necessary to read this, capturing is a process with high requirements regarding preparation and post-processing. To make sure that the delta file contains exclusively those changes that are of relevance for the final package, there is a serious amount of care that has to be applied to the preparation of the snapshot machine, on exclusion lists, and possible collision conflicts on the target system.

 

Therefore it is not recommended to rely on the PackRecorder in every case, even though it would work. Think of the PackRecorder as the final arrow within the quiver, and check other possible, specialized solutions first before pulling it.

 

If equipped with an MSI based file, do not put all the extra fine-tuning work load on one packagers shoulders, but import the file into the PackDesigner. PackDesigner offers direct access to freely manipulate the tabular package foundation, as well as a sophisticated user interface to support the user with guided procedures and assisting control structures. Especially those vendor MSI resources, which are assigned for MST extension, are usually no candidates for repackaging, but should be handled with either PackTailor or PackDesginer and their transform management features.

 

To Sum Up:
 

1.If an MSI is available, and the UI sequence contains switches for all options required to manipulate, take a tour through the PackTailor to get the job done with a quick MST.
 

2.Check the original resources for importability into PackDesigner. If it can be handled directly, and there are no additional needs that cannot be met otherwise, use PackDesigner and enjoy the feast of handy functionality it offers.
 

3.Only go for the capturing detour if the options named above cannot be applied on the available resource material.