Making an installer... (batch/exe)

[keyboard]

I've run into a little bit of trouble whilst programming something in batch...

When the user downloads the application, I would like them to only have to download 1 file.
However, at least two files are needed for the application (the installer and the actual program).
The application is programmed in batch, but I'd prefer to compile the batch files into exe's before distrubtion.

If the user only downloads one file (the installer) then I can write the actual application (using the installer). However, then I can't compile it into an exe....
How can I get around this... I don't want to use an archive...

Also, how do install wizards do this? Do they download them from online or do the extract them from something?
Keyboard1333

[jscheuer1]

I've never done any of this except for one part you mention and it's been a while. I used to be a batch file nut and as part of that phase of my interest in languages related to computers I would often write batch files which when run would create and/or patch batch files for use on other computers - essentially a batch file batch file installer.

how do install wizards do this? Do they download them from online or do the extract them from something?

There are installers that use one, the other or both of those methods.

More and more these days, particularly with large programs, much of the material is downloaded from the web as part of the installation process.

Many do use archives, although they are not strictly archives, rather executables that extract from themselves the files needed, much like a self-extracting archive, just a little more sophisticated.

If you search the net you will probably find templates in various programming languages for compilling such installers and/or programs to create installers in various languages.

[djr33]

For a small program it will certainly be contained in the installer and extract it from there, not downloaded from the internet. (What John says is true, though, but that's because programs are getting so large these days and for piracy protection issues.)

Installers have extra security issues because they're controlled by defaults on the system. So you'll need to work within that (which might be harder to do, but of course you can create a working installer with that method). I don't know how to do this, but I agree with John: just look up a tutorial for this using whatever languages you know and go with it. But you might need to use something other than batch files for it-- I don't know if they're capable of it. Alternatively just for copying two existing files, I wouldn't be surprised if there are existing installer-creating programs out there that could do it for you. You could just use one of those.