Installer
From Applepedia
Most Mac software doesn't need an installer - you just drag the Application icon from the Disk Image to your Applications folder.
Software that despite this uses an installer uses one of the following systems.
Contents |
Installers
Apple Installer (.pkg files)
Apple's installer allows developers to create custom packages using the free Developer's Tools. The package installer is typically used when a program installs many files to several locations, or needs to modify system files or folders. It also has the ability to execute scripts, display licensing agreements, and other useful options. Apple's installer is pretty nice as any program using it will have a familiar installer, but it needs to update your prebindings ("Optimizing"), which takes a while. Software installed with the Apple Installer creates a BOM (Bill Of Materials) in /Library/Receipts/, so you can see what files were created by what installer.
If you're developing software, you probably don't want to use the package installer unless you absolutely need to. Drag-and-drop is much more user friendly. If you have files which need to be copied to various support folders, you can always create a 'post install' method that copies files from the application's bundle the first time the program is run. If you do use Installer.app, be sure to read up on possible problems, starting with this stepwise article.
Wincent Install
Install is paid software that gives more features to the standard Apple package installer.
Installer Vise
Installer Vise is a horrible leftover from years better forgotten. Any software that uses Installer Vise should just die. Installer Vise can often be identified by the fact that it still uses the progress bar from MacOS 9.
Unsanity Installer
Unsanitys installer is very lightweight and nice to use - you know exactly where it has installed files.
