Topic       : The ATARI Compendium
Author      : Scott Sanders / JAY Software
Version     : 1.25 (20/6/2003)
Subject     : Documentation
Nodes       : 1117
Index Size  : 32614
HCP-Version : 6
Compiled on : Atari
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@lang       : en
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                           Installation Software


Every disk distributed for end-user use should have an installation
program called 'INSTALL.PRG' on the root directory of the floppy or
CD-ROM diskette. Even disks containing only data files should be
installable in this manner. Basic guidelines for installation programs
follow:

   ∙ The installation program should allow the user to specify a location
     for the files to be installed and create a new directory for them if
     necessary.

   ∙ The installation program may (if desired by the user) add icons for
     the application itself and data files to the DESKICON.RSC or
     DESKCICN.RSC file as appropriate. If the application requires special
     GDOS drivers or fonts, the installation should (if desired by the
     user) modify the ASSIGN.SYS or EXTEND.SYS files appropriately.

   ∙ The installation program may (if desired) modify the system
     DESKTOP.INF or NEWDESK.INF, as appropriate, to create references to
     added icons and to install the application to the system (creating
     associated file types, startup directory, etc.). Be careful not to
     override existing document associations without the user's permission.

   ∙ If your installation program modifies any system files, always make a
     backup prior to the changes and inform the user where the backups will
     be located.

   ∙ The installation program should visually update the user as to the
     progress of the installation procedure.

   ∙ If changes to system files were made, inform the user on exit that the
     system will need a reboot for these changes to become effective.

   ∙ If removing your application completely from the system involves more
     than deleting a single directory's contents or if relocating the
     application will cause it to no longer function properly, provide an
     additional application that will remove or move your application as
     desired by the user.