Output - Create Installer or Zip
ExeOutput for PHP generates single executable files ready for delivery. You just need to distribute the application .exe file (and, in some cases, additional external files used by your PHP application placed in the Data and/or MySQL subfolders) to your users/customers.
But after having built your application, you may also want to distribute it over the Internet: you may want to package your compiled application into a Zip archive or even an installer or Setup package. Installers are interesting because they can install several applications, additional files like readme, create shortcuts in the Windows Start menu, and offer an uninstaller to let end users remove any trace of your application from their computer.
When an application is created, you can use the command Export to Zip or Create Installer in Application Output.
Export to Zip¶
ExeOutput for PHP asks you where you want to create the Zip archive. After that, it will scan for all files used by your application (EXE file, Data subfolder or even MySQL subfolder) and compress them into the Zip archive.
Note
ExeOutput for PHP will store correct path information into the Zip archive. All you have to do is to deploy the Zip archive. End users can then extract the Zip archive on their computer and run your application immediately.
Generate an installer or Setup package¶
ExeOutput for PHP uses our software program Paquet Builder 3 to generate custom and compact Setup programs for publications. It must be installed on your computer before you can use this feature.
Paquet Builder is a mix between a 7z Self-Extracting archive maker and a Setup routine generator. Thanks to its exhaustive feature set, you can create flexible and compact self-extractors for professional file and software delivery. Package up any document or program files, visually construct simple or sophisticated multilanguage distribution and installation packages; generate updates and patches; wrap multimedia presentations or several Windows Installer MSI setups into single .exe files ready for delivery over the Internet.
More information about Paquet Builder at https://www.installpackbuilder.com
How does it work?¶
You will get a window with these fields:
ExeOutput for PHP will create a default project for Paquet Builder: you can then edit this project with the program and of course compile it to create the Setup package.
First, you have to fill in the three fields Destination Path, Setup Title and Your Application Name: "Destination Path" is the default folder where you want your publication to be installed, "Setup Title" is the title that will appear on all Setup windows, and the last one is obvious.
Secondly, press Generate to create the project. ExeOutput for PHP will then launch Paquet Builder to let you modify the new project.
Tip
ExeOutput for PHP will automatically include the external files that could be in the "Data" and MySQL subfolders of your application, unless you disable that option.