I have an install script MSI project. I have various files that, after being installed vary from the original file's timestamp by few seconds.
For example, the date of file A is 1:40:55 PM inside the installshield IDE - Files and Folders. After installing the application, the timestamp of the file installed on the target machine is 1:41:00 PM.
Any ideas on what might be causing this? We have programs to validate files by comparing the date time stamps of installed files with those of the original files. These programs fail due to this variance.
There may be a limitation of cab files with regards to file timestamp resolution. For some side material, see http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2004/02/26/80492.aspx but I'm not sure if this is why, or if Windows Installer might round timestamps to the minute. Regardless, I'd argue it's not a great idea to rely on timestamps for much, as they're too easy to game either on purpose or accident.
