execute a batch script as a pre-install task

[vlexdev]

i tried to execute a batch script as a pre-install task, but during installation it always throws an error.can anyone help me how to execute a batch script in installshield as part of pre-installation task?

[Jenifer]

Hi @vlexdev ,

How are you trying to execute batch script as a pre-installation task?

What is the error you are facing?

i would recommend you to:

• go with custom action of immediate sequence 
• Custom action of type of executable file(Or Exe stored in binary table) with [SystemFolder]\cmd.exe /c <full_path_of_batch_file>
• Sequence it well-before installation as you mentioned pre-installation task
• Or if you want to go with script based you can use installscript function LaunchApp,please refer below KB article:
• https://community.flexera.com/t5/InstallShield-Knowledge-Base/Running-a-Batch-File-from-Your-Setup/ta-p/4449

Let me know if that helps,

Thanks,

Jenifer

[Jenifer]

Hi @vlexdev ,

This helpnet link can help you writing installscript functions by following steps mentioned:

https://helpnet.flexerasoftware.com/installshield22helplib/helplibrary/IHelpIScriptOverview.htm

You have to declare datatype of these three variables,the sample function would be like this here:

function MyFunction(hMSI)
// To Do: Declare local variables.
STRING szProgram,szCmdline;
begin
szProgram = "C:\\Users\\Admin\\Desktop\\TestData\\ExecuteBat.bat";
szCmdline = SystemFolder+"\\cmd.exe /c";
LaunchApp (szProgram,szCmdline);
// To Do: Write script that will be executed when MyFunction is called.

end;

• Create InstallScript custom action and add myfunction as function name
• Let In-Script execution be Immediate execution
• add InstallationExecution sequence as say "After CostInitialize"
• Build the project and execute,you will be able to see batch script execution

Thanks,

Jenifer

[vlexdev]

The batch script gets executed only when i hardcode the path inide the batch script. for example: to create a directory inside my taget installation folder, i have to give the whole path of the folder inside the script. Instead of hardcoding how can i get the variable that represents the user installation folder.

how to get the INSTALLDIR location inside a batchscript ?

[Jenifer]

Hi @vlexdev ,

You have to use INSTALLDIR variable inside code,sample code would be:

szProgram =INSTALLDIR^"\\ExecuteBat.bat";
szCmdline = SystemFolder+"\\cmd.exe /c";
LaunchApp (szProgram,szCmdline);

Thanks,

Jenifer

[vlexdev]

For e.g: The content in my batch file is :-
md "INSTALLDIR^\Software_installation\Logs"
// i want to create a folder "Software_installation" inside my installation directory.
How to useinstalldir varibale like this inside the batch file?

In the installscript file, the code is:-
function MyFunction(hMSI)
// To Do: Declare local variables.
STRING szProgram,szCmdline;
begin
szProgram = "C:\\Users\\rr9\\Desktop\\Bat files\\creating a directory.bat";
szCmdline = SystemFolder+"\\cmd.exe/c";
LaunchApp (szProgram,szCmdline);
end

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