Install applications
 

Is there a program, like InstallShield, or a tutorial, to make install applications for Linux ?
Thanks.

No. There is no standard installation method for Linux. So if you want to create an installer, then you must follow one of the three standard ways:

Generally developers distribute their apps in one of the following ways:

1. By source code:

You get a tar/gz file which you must extract to a directory and then generally give the command (it may vary for different apps. check the install.txt file):

The end user must issue the commands:
2. By RPM/binary

In case the app is distributed via binary RPM, then you must install using the command:
Check the syntax of rpm by giving a 'man rpm' and checking out the options listed.

There is a third way: by shell script installer. Many developers give a shell script that you must execute. This command then will prompt you for install location and so on and you must complete the installation process by answering its prompts. This is the easiest way, but different developers write different kinds of installers so there is no standard way of installing a Linux application.

If you are a developer and want to create an install program then I suggest you look at one of the three ways. Creating a shell script to install your application seems to be the best way.

Actually InstallShield X for Linux is just released, and BitRock InstallBuilder is also available, if you're thinking about install wizards of that kind..:rolleyes:

In my case, I want to distribute a jdbc app, connecting to mysql.
So, I think shell script is really the best way.
Can you give me a code example ?