advantages of creating an installer?

[programmindragon]

I was curious what the advantages would be of creating an installer for my applications.  I have not been creating them because I am the only programmer at this facility and I take care of all program installations.  I could see an advantage if I were not the person doing the installation.  Are there any other advantages that I am not aware of?

[James@Home]

This could be a long list...

But just a couple from me:

1) Save time (install all NI support & app at once)

2) Rev control and certainty all installations are identical.

[PaulG.]

The installer is a must if your application is going into a brand new pc or to a new customer. But if everything you touch already has the runtime engine I don't see the big deal in not having an installer.

[Wayne.C]

I do all the LV programming and most of the software installation at this site.  Without installers there is no way my boss would let me go on my annual electronics free vacation.

[smercurio_fc]

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Wayne.C wrote:

Without installers there is no way my boss would let me go on my annual electronics free vacation.

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Can I work for your boss? He sounds easy to please.

[programmindragon]

Thanks for the input.  Most of my applications go onto pcs that are reused for LabVIEW testing so they have the runtime already installed.  Also, all my applications are used for testing onsite and do not go to customers.

[Ray.R]

It's a good way to "freeze" the versions that you are creating.  So if you place each version in a safe place, it is easy for you to revert to them.

Having or not having the Run-Time Engine should not influence your choice.

[Wayne.C]

Saverio,

If we have an opening you'll be the first to know.  He is actually very easy to please.  All I have to do is accomplish the impossible for $0 and in no time. 

Lots of late nights and weekends.  But when I'm on vacation with my family or doing my 'unplugged' trip to the woods of northern Michigan, he leaves me alone.