Create compact installer packages with WiX
WiX Toolset is short for Windows Installer XML Toolset. It is an open-source development kit offered by Rob Mensching. The WiX Toolset is a set of tools that allows users to build Windows Installer set up packages like MSI and MSM using XML. There are seven main tools in the set: Candle, Light, Lit, Dark, Heat, Pyro, and Burn. All of these tools have different functions when creating installation tools. The Burn bootstrapper is especially important for products that require prerequisite software to be installed, as the tool can package them into a single executable file. All in all, the WiX toolset is a necessary tool for Windows developers everywhere.
Pros
- Open-source, free installer creation tool.
- XML-based installer package creation.
- Creates MSI, MSM, and MSP packages.
- Burn bootstrapper for prerequisites.
- Supports command-line environment for builds.
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- XML-based configuration can be complex.
- Limited GUI-based customization options.
- Debugging complex installations challenging.
- Documentation can be difficult to navigate.
