install4j is a powerful multi-platform Java installer builder that generates native installers and application launchers for Java applications.
install4j excels in its ease of use, its extensive platform support and its powerful screen and action system.
NOTE: To be able to try install4j you will have to request an evaluation key at http://www.ej-technologies.com/download/install4j/trial.php.
Here are some key features of "install4j":
Extensive Platform Support:
· Mac OS X
· All 32-bit versions of Windows
· 64-bit Windows
· Full support for Windows Vista
· Unix
· Linux RPM
IDE and Compiler:
· Easy to use IDE for designing installers
· Powerful built-in script editor
· Code gallery with example scripts
· Build from within the IDE
· Command line compiler
· Ant task
· Build on any platform
· Build debug installers
· XML project file
· Project export to HTML
Construction of a Distribution Tree:
· Freely define your distribution tree
· Configure multiple installation roots
· Configure multiple file sets
· Handle platform-specific differences
· Define file rights for Unix, Linux and Mac OS X
· Define fine-grained uninstallation policies
· Define fine-grained overwrite policies
· Define a tree of installation components
Compilation of Native Launchers:
· Customized JRE/JDK detection
· Flexible classpath construction
· GUI and console launchers
· Service launchers
· Custom working directory
· VM parameters file
· Enforce single instance on Windows
· React to file association startups on Mac OS X
· Windows version info resource
· Configurable execution level for Windows Vista
· Custom script for Linux/Unix launchers
· Splash screen
· Redirection of stderr and stdout
· Startup failure detection
· Custom icon
· Custom process name and task bar grouping on Windows XP
· Application bundle on Mac OS X
Installers and Uninstallers:
· Support for Java 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6
· LZMA and Pack200 compression algorithms
· GUI installer mode
· Console installer mode
· Unattended installer mode
· Unified screen and action configuration for all installer modes
· Response files for installers
· Integration for code signing
· Localization into many languages
· Language detection at runtime
· Net installers
· CD installers
· Configurable icon, window size and images
· Installer log file
JRE Bundling and On-Demand Download of JREs:
· Dynamically bundle a JRE
· Statically bundle a JRE
· Install a shared JRE
· Prepare your own JRE bundles
Updates:
· Application ID
· Suggest previous locations
· Run the uninstaller for updates
· Stop deployed services
· Detect running instances of an application
· Create "add-on" installers
Auto-Update Functionality:
· Updater templates
· Auto-generated update descriptor
· Flexible update selection logic
· Updater API
· Update schedule registry
Flexible Definition of Installer Applications:
· Custom installer applications
· Screens and action groups
· Re-use of screens and actions with linking
· Disabling of screens, actions and form components
· Comments
· Quick search
Screens:
· Configurable screen sequence for installers and uninstallers
· Standard screens for common tasks
· Configurable screens
· Form screens
Actions:
· Configurable action sequence for all screens
· Actions for scripting the installer or uninstaller
· Desktop integration actions
· File operation actions
· Options for the "Finish" screen
· Registry and preference store modifications
· Service actions
· Text file modifications
· XML file modifications
· Other miscellaneous actions
Variables:
· Compiler variables
· Installer variables
· Launcher variables
· Localization keys
Installer API:
· Installer and uninstaller context
· General services
· Platform-specific services
· Installer events
· Framework for screens, actions and form components
· JavaBeans framework
Extensibility:
· JavaBeans extension model
· Easy integration of custom code
· Extensions
Limitations:
· 60 days trial
What`s New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]
New features:
· "Install files" action and "Download and install component" actions: In console mode, file names are now shown on the same line to avoid a long scrolling list of file names
· In console mode, HTML tags are now removed in all text output. Multi-line messages use an HTML to plain text conversion that conserves line breaks, lists and similar layout tags.
· "Create program group" action: Windows program group entries now have an additional "Run as administrator" option
API changes:
· ProgressInterface#setDetailMessage: In console mode, repeated invocation of this method overwrites the current line. This prevents a long scrolling list of temporary information.
· Added Screen#hasDefaultButtons() for hiding the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen
· Context#isUpdateInstallation was not updated when the installation directory was changed by the "Installation location" screen in console mode
· Added WinFileSystem#createStartMenuEntry method with an additional runAsAdministrator param...
