[wix-users] WG: Windows Installer database schema: Compatible to standards?

[Bob Arnson]

The MSI SDK is now part of the Windows SDK. WiX v2.0 supported I2 file sequences but that was dropped in WiX v3.0. We've recommended using the same version of WiX for servicing because otherwise we're guaranteeing cross-version patch compatibility and that's a high bar.

-----Original Message-----
From: wix-users <wix-users-bounces at lists.wixtoolset.org> On Behalf Of Edwin Castro via wix-users
Sent: Thursday, 17 May, 2018 09:54
To: WiX Toolset Users Mailing List <wix-users at lists.wixtoolset.org>
Cc: Edwin Castro <egcastr at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [wix-users] WG: Windows Installer database schema: Compatible to standards?

See "Authoring a Large Package" in the description of the sequence column.
Here is the link for convenience:

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa367767(v=vs.85).aspx

Sounds like Bob is saying that only large packages are supported in WiX.
Perhaps you should try delivering a major ugrade first to get customers updated to the new schema and then deliver patches. I really don't know whether that will really work but perhaps it will.

Previously I have read advice on this mailing list that says you should always use the same version of WiX to produce patches as your base install.
I don't remember the exact rationale given then but I have to imagine that you've encountered an example if why that advice was given. Even WiX could change something between releases that affects us in a similar fashion.

--
Edwin G. Castro




On Thu, May 17, 2018, 06:28 Reuss, Matthias via wix-users < wix-users at lists.wixtoolset.org> wrote:

> Hi Bob,
>
> Where is this MSI SDK schema documented? In the MSDN, I have only 
> found the reference given below, . which states that file sequences are i2.
>
> Best regards
>
> Matthias
>
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Bob Arnson [mailto:bob at firegiant.com]
> Gesendet: Donnerstag, 17. Mai 2018 15:06
> An: WiX Toolset Users Mailing List <wix-users at lists.wixtoolset.org>
> Cc: Reuss, Matthias <matthias.mr.reuss at sivantos.com>
> Betreff: RE: Windows Installer database schema: Compatible to standards?
>
> WiX matches the MSI SDK schema, with i4 file sequences. WiX no longer 
> supports using i2 file sequences.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: wix-users <wix-users-bounces at lists.wixtoolset.org> On Behalf Of 
> Reuss, Matthias via wix-users
> Sent: Thursday, 17 May, 2018 07:41
> To: WiX Toolset Users Mailing List <wix-users at lists.wixtoolset.org>
> Cc: Reuss, Matthias <matthias.mr.reuss at sivantos.com>
> Subject: [wix-users] Windows Installer database schema: Compatible to 
> standards?
>
> Hi,
>
> we are migrating an MSI installer that was not authored with WiX to WiX.
>
> We observed the following:
>
> When building the MSI from WiX, the database columns File.Sequence and 
> Media.LastSequence are defined as "i4", i.e. 4-byte (long) integers.
> However, in our legacy MSI, these columns are defined as "i2", i.e. 
> 2-byte
> (short) integers.
>
> As a consequence, it is not possible to create a transform (or a 
> patch) from these two MSI databases.
>
> "Official" MSI documentation (e.g.
> https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa368596(v=vs
> .85).aspx) says that these columns shall be of "Integer" data type, 
> which means here two-byte integer as opposed to 4-byte 
> "DoubleInteger".
>
> In addition, there were 3 more mismatches between the two database schemas:
>
>                                              Legacy
>     WiX
> Shortcut.Target                    s255                             s72
> Shortcut.Arguments            S72                               S255
> CustomAction.Source          S64                               S72
>
> For the sizes of these 3 string columns, I have not found an official 
> statement.
>
> I understand that defining the sequence numbers as i4 allows to author 
> packages with a larger number of files.
> But is there a switch (e.g. in light) to make WiX build an MSI 
> database which is fully compatible to the standard schema?
>
> Best regards,
>
> Matthias Reuss
>
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