Symantec Packager, Implementation Manual

Page: 57 / 98

57 Configuring custom commands
Building and testing custom commands
Building and testing custom commands
After you define the command-line parameters and optional files for a custom
command, you must build it. When the custom command build process is
complete, it is crucial that you test the custom command before you include it in
an installation package. Symantec Packager stores testable self-extracting
executable files in the folder that is specified for the Deploy Packages tab in
Symantec Packager Preferences.
Building custom commands
During the build process, Symantec Packager retrieves information from the
custom command .pcg file to determine which files to include in the custom
command as well as the command-line parameters, installation options, and
custom settings. Symantec Packager then performs basic error checking. If
Symantec Packager encounters an error, the build process stops. You must
resolve the conflict and repeat the build process.
After you complete the validation process, Symantec Packager creates a self-
extracting executable (.exe) file and places it in the folder that is specified for the
Deploy Packages tab. The command .exe file is supplied for testing purposes and
is not supported for deployment.
To build custom commands
1 In the Symantec Packager window, on the Configure Products tab, select the
custom command that you want to build.
2
On the File menu, click Build .
A Build Status window appears, which provides information about the
progress of the build and logs any problems that have occurred. If the build
is successful, the last line in the Build Status window reads as follows:
Command was built successfully.
3 In the Build Status window, click Close .
Testing custom commands
Custom commands are powerful tools that let you customize a product
installation beyond the confines of what a product template allows. However,
with custom commands, you are responsible for defining the information that
Symantec Packager requires to install and run the custom command. Because of
the unlimited possibilities for which you can use a custom command, Symantec
Packager does not ensure that you have typed a command correctly and does not
perform error checking during the build or installation processes. Therefore, it