In my earlier weblog, I talked about Package deal Assist Framework and the way MSIX solves the issue of operating conventional Win32 apps by a group pushed route. Now I want to concentrate on one other vital piece of MSIX—Modification Packages and why they’re vital in case you are an ISV creating software program or an IT Professional, or as a software program shopper.
Why?
Earlier than I leap into what a modification package deal is, let’s begin with, “Why?” In case you are an IT Professional, you’ll have repackaged tons of of packages. Whereas repackaging a vendor setup is one aspect of the story, including your enterprise’s customizations is a completely completely different story. It could possibly be a easy enterprise branding or a fancy function customization. IT Execs have been managing this for ages now with out precise entry to the supply code. When you’ve gotten your customizations for a given vendor app prepared, you undoubtedly don’t need to do that over once more when a brand new model of the seller app is on the market. So, there’s a urgent want for isolating customizations from the core app. Historically, rework information (.MST) are almost certainly the way you utilized customizations to your setups. The query is, if MSIX is the subsequent normal, how do you do the identical with out entry to supply?
Whereas customizations are for IT Execs, from an ISV standpoint, there is a rise in creating modular purposes the place the bottom app is saved separate from any plugins. Think about you’re creating an editor app and over a time frame you need to add PDF modifying capabilities. Finest practices recommend to maintain the bottom and plugins separate.
Enter Modification Packages!
Modification Packages
Modification packages show you how to apply customizations on a given base app or add plugins/addons with out modifications to the bottom app.
With this strategy, your base app and customizations/plugins are in separate MSIX packages providing you with the isolation you require and eradicating the necessity to create your customizations once more. As of this weblog submit, MSIX helps modifying the information and registry entries within the base app.
To place it merely, in case your base app has, say ‘settings.xml’, you’ll be able to have a modified model of settings.xml within the modification package deal to tweak the app settings in your enterprise. MSIX runtime will honor the settings.xml from the modification package deal as an alternative of the bottom package deal permitting your customization to take impact.
Putting in and Uninstalling Modification Packages
Modification packages are all the time certain to a base app. The truth is, each of them share the identical id. That is what helps MSIX runtime to select the customizations. They will’t be put in standalone. So, whereas making a modification package deal, you must point out the bottom app in your manifest file within the Dependencies part.
Earlier than putting in the modification package deal, the bottom app must be put in. Else, you can be introduced with an error.
You’ll find all of the modification packages to your base app from Apps and Options (Home windows Settings –> Apps & Options). Choose your app and navigate to ‘App add-ons & downloadable content material’ to seek out them.
It is possible for you to to uninstall them with out affecting the bottom app.
Beneath is a brief demo on create Modification Packages utilizing InstallShield.
