In windows, most software would need an installing before usage yet some can be opened directly. For example, Blender is a 3D software that can be downloaded in two forms: one that can be installed and the other in “portable” form that can be directly used even when it’s inside a flashdisk. How can this be so? Why not all software require installation or not?
In: Technology
Installation can perform many tasks, for example :
– decompress the compressed package of the program and put it in the expected location with the expected file structure.
– check if system meets requirement
– remove previous installation of the same program to avoid conflicts
– detect program is already installed but on an older version and update it
– check you’re not missing any piece due to a download malfunction
– check permissions for any directory you’re going to use that isn’t in the program main directory.
– check for the existence of other programs your program relies on (jvm, dotnet ?)
– check which media tooling you have and configure the program to use the ones you have
– Ask your OS for the text fonts
– Add some variables to the registry to find some paths on your system (or check registry for paths you need but everyone local machine is different so someone has to tell where it is on this machine).
– Tell the OS to open your program-specific *.XXX files with the XXX program
– Tell your OS about that new command line keyword that correspond to this new program
– Tell your OS that program should run with some specific options
– create shortcuts to desktop/start menu/pin to task bar etc… if you want them.
– check your activation key for licenced product
– phone home and download the rest of the program
Or anything else really.
Some programs don’t need any of this. Due to the way they work internally or the way they were shipped or both.
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