Why does the Deployment Wizard offer detailed product categories, and the normal install does not?

[VolkerBarth]

I guess starting with v12, the regular installer does only allow to choose components on a rather high level, e.g. you can choose to install the "SQL Anywhere database" or not, or you can choose to install MobiLink or not.

In older versions and in the according Deployment Wizard of newer versions, you can choose on a more detailed level, say which according client APIs you want to install or whether you would like to install the whole MobiLink suite or just the MobiLink client:

It would be fine if the regular installer would allow a finer control, too, particularly if one just wants to install some client APIs. Currently I'm tempted to create a MSI file just for these tasks...

[Former Member]

The options also change, without release notes, with EBFs.

[jack_schueler]

The regular installer is designed for the developer. We assume that you will be using a variety of components to help develop your application (for example, a database server). Once you get it working, then you deploy your application using the deployment wizard to select only those components needed for your end-user to successfully run your application.

[Breck_Carter]

"The regular installed is designed for the developer." That is not a helpful answer. It doesn't even make sense, since it implies that for many years the regular install was NOT designed for developers... or worse, that developers have somehow become stupid (more stupid?) and can't handle choices.

Defaults are great. That's not the issue here.

For example, I recently discovered that a SQL Anywhere installation on my laptop DID NOT HAVE the 32-bit version installed. If memory serves, it was NOT POSSIBLE to choose the 32-bit version during the initial install, but (again, if memory serves) it was available as part of a re-install "modificaton". Not just a minor irritation, but actual lost time resulting in actual lost dollars. Presumably, the assumption was that nobody using a 64-bit OS would want the 32-bit version (ha ha very funny... not).

Over the years the SQL Anywhere setup has become a wonderful component, smooth and worry-free, no doubt the product of Herculean efforts given the complexities created by the Myriad Minions Of Microsoft... you have it right, don't [cough] fix it up 🙂

[VolkerBarth]

Well, for "deloyed solutions" I can follow your reasoning, and I guess everyone will expect (and accept) some effort to put up the deployment here.

However, say, for in-house installations, say, to just

• install the required database server files (with minimal admin tools) on a server machine or
• install some client libraries on a MS SQL server box to enable it to connect to a SA database,

that's no real "deployment" IMHO. Here, I would usually just want to start the setup and choose the right options.

To be clear: I guess the Deployment Wizard has become really easy to use - except for the EBF upgrading part and the missing facility to create shortcuts...

[jack_schueler]

Re: "The regular installed [sic] is designed for the developer."

OK, let me rephrase that.

"The regular installer is and always was designed for the developer."

[VolkerBarth]

@Jack: That would still not explain why older versions offered way more detailed install options...

I'd say the installer should as well work for the typical SQL Anywhere part-time DBA, too:)