INSTYLE
What it is:  
    A free file-driven installer for Windows programs and data files.  It's simple to set up and simpler to use.  It's intended for programmers with small projects they intend to distribute in an institutional or business environment. 

Features:
    Supports directory wildcards.  I don't know what the practical limit on the number of files would be.
     Optionally identifies a "key" file that indicates an installation already exists & provides a "short list" of updates.
    Optionally allows "silent" no-messages installation for bulk installations.
    Allows editing of messages to user.
    Program name optional, as long as ini file matches.
    Provides progress gauge while copying files larger than copy buffer.
    Leaves directory structure in provider's control; programmer can copy to any directory; if it doesn't exist, directory will be created.
    Windows installation is optional.
    Optionally updates the [FILES] section of any .ini files provided with programs to include user's choice of drives.
    Supports multiple disks.
    Does NOT support file compression.

   User chooses:
    -- destination drive
    -- (if enabled) Update or complete installation
    -- cancel button while copying and overall.
    -- new or existing Windows group for Windows installation.
 See below.


How to apply the program:

    Create an .ini file. It must have the same name as the install program, but the is your choice.
    If you use the name INSTYLE.EXE, the ini file must be INSTYLE.INI

The ini file has six sections, three of them optional.

[INSTRUCTIONS] gives you control of the step-by-step instructions to the user. Each entry is limited to 255 characters and will appear in the system-bold font on the INSTYLE label plate.  Note that each line of the lists must end in =

Here are some sample instructions:

[INSTRUCTIONS]
{ This shows first }
The standard installation of "Style" will place it in a directory called "Stylebk" and install it in Windows. Click on Cancel if this is not what you want to do.=
{ step 2 }
Please select a drive from the drop-down list below, and Click Go On when you're ready. Your computer's hard drive (usually c:) is preferred.=
{ step 3 }
If you don't have a Stylebk directory already, a new one will be created next. Click Go On.=
{ step 4 - gives user an out in case an error develops here. }
Ready to copy files now. Click Go On to proceed.=
{ step 5 - gives user the option of exiting here. }
Click Go On to install Style in Windows.=
{ step 6 - list of groups appears }
Choose a window to put the Style icon in. You can choose an existing one or "New Group" to create a "Style" window.=
{ abort/error message }
The installation was interrupted; you may need to install "Style" manually.=

{If you copy these, leave out the bracketed notes. Note the = signs at the end; they are required.}

{
You can use DOS wildcards to identify files to copy.
the name after the comma is the directory to copy into. DO NOT enter the drive; that's the user's option.

The program will prompt the user to change disks as noted below.  If you omit the disk numbers, the user won't see a prompt. 

Note that the files are copied in the order you type them.

}
[FILES]
style*.*,Stylebk=
wsty*.*,stylebk=
1:Rawstyle.*,stylebk=
2:textutil.*,stylebk=

{
this is an optional short list of files to be copied to update an existing product.
}
[UPDATES]
style.idx,Stylebk
style.out,Stylebk

{
Keyfile below identifies a prior installation.
Groupname is the name of the Windows group to install in. Omit it if you don't want to install in Windows. If windows install is enabled, the user has the option of choosing another group.
Silent=1 eliminates pauses after the user selects a drive to copy to.
}

[INFO]
KEYFILE=\stylebk\style.idx
GROUPNAME=Style
SILENT=0

{
list the explicit path (sans directory) to any file you want to install in a Windows group. It is assumed that these will be Windows programs and will have icons already.  This list is optional.
}

[ICONS]
\stylebk\wstyle.exe,Stylebook=

{
The [FILES] section of any INI files associated (by having the same name) with executable files in the ICONS list will be updated to incorporate the drive the user chose.  If there are other INI files to be updated, enter them here. Omit the list if there aren't any.
}
[ADJUST]
\stylebk\style.ini


Technicalities:
   This file is copyright (c) Peter Zicari, May 1997, all rights reserved. It may be copied and distributed without payment as part of a distribution package for any purpose, commercial or non-profit, however, but may not be sold by itself.

   The program must be used at the distributor's or user's own risk.

   You ARE encouraged to let the author know about correctible errors, suggested enhancements and the like at: peter.zicari@pcohio.com

Author's remark:
   The essential core of this program is based on code I found at various Delphi sites on the Internet.  It saved me weeks of research and experimenting on a job that I didn't particularly want to do in the first place.  I am distributing INSTYLE free in appreciation for the help I found and for the benefit of others who would rather build useful applications than tinker with installers.