Prerequisites vs. Redistributables

[jwilliams12]

Could someone please explain the difference between setting a prerequisite and adding a re-distributable such as a merge module?

[jlynch11]

Redistributabes are 3rd party pieces of technology that you can freely distribute with your software. Prerequisites and Merge modules are both different types of redistributables.
An InstallShield prerequisite is an installation for a product or technology framework that is required by your product.
A merge module (or .msm file) contains all of the logic and files needed to install distinct pieces of functionality. Unlike prerequisites, they cannot be run on their own, rather they are merged into the msi at build time.

I hope this helps.

[jwilliams12]

jlynch,

Thank you that clears up the confusion.