Installation file generator: makesis.exe

The installation file generator creates software installation packages (SIS files) based on information and file locations on the source PC or target phone, defined in a package (PKG) file.

See also

Package file format

The following diagram shows how the PC based tool (makesis) is used to construct an install package (SIS file) from the component files, private key and certificates using instructions detailed in a PKG file.

From an MSDOS command-line prompt (or batch file) the syntax for using makesis is as follows:

makesis [-v] [-h] [-s] [-p password] source [destination]

where

• A stub file is a file stored on the target device after a package has been installed. It details which files were installed and where, and is used to enable the component to be uninstalled. By default, makesis creates a stub file for an application. However, if an application on the device was not installed using a SIS file and has no stub file, makesis -s may be used to create a stub file for it. This is an advanced feature and not generally used by developers. makesis supports the creation of stub files for inclusion in the ROM. This is required so that when installing new components a check can be made to ensure that a ROM based component is not replaced by an older RAM based component.

• The source file is the name of the PKG file. The destination file, if not specified, will be derived from the name of the PKG file, but with a SIS file extension, .sis.

• If the SIS file is to be digitally signed then makesis may prompt for a password to access the private key file if required.