Chapter 19. Custom Code

• Writing Custom Code

The majority of tasks needed to deploy the application can be handled using InstallAnywhere's built-in actions and panels. If there is functionality not covered by InstallAnywhere's built-in actions and panels, developers can create their own custom components using the Custom Code Application Programming Interface (API).

InstallAnywhere offers an open API that allows developers to write Java code that can run within InstallAnywhere's architecture. Using the API also gives access to additional functionality in InstallAnywhere, such as its unique variables and resource-loading features. Developers can use the API to create custom actions and GUI elements that seamlessly interact with and extend the InstallAnywhere framework.

All custom code that is going to run within the InstallAnywhere framework must be written in Java. The major forms of custom code are actions, panels, consoles, and rules.

• Custom code actions: These actions run within InstallAnywhere's action framework alongside the default InstallAnywhere actions.

• Custom code panels: These panels run within InstallAnywhere's graphical interface during the installation process. The developer can use the Custom Code API to add panels to the installer that are not provided among InstallAnywhere's default panels.

• Custom code consoles: These actions run within InstallAnywhere's console interface during the installation process. Developers can use the Custom Code API to add custom console elements to the installer.

• Custom code rules: These rules are evaluated when the actions they are associated with are about to be executed. Custom code rules need to return a Boolean value defining whether the action is to be run.

Zero G Software provides sample custom code actions, panels, consoles, and rules in the Custom Code folder in the root installation directory of InstallAnywhere. These samples can be used as examples of how to implement InstallAnywhere custom code using the API. Additionally, a wide variety of custom code actions and panels are located in the Downloads | Add-Ons | Custom Code area of the Zero G Web site.