why do programs/games need to install?

ilovefishsticks · 01-15-2006, 05:49 AM

I know this may seem like kind of a dumb, noobish question, but why do most programs and games need to install? And why is it some dont need to install

gamerman4 · 01-15-2006, 06:17 AM

....what program u got that doesn't need an install? Programs that dont need an install are usually small freeware progs that can run directly from the exe. All an installation is, is an easier way to put all the files on a place on your hard drive without the user manually doing it, also installing adds registry values and puts things in your system files sometimes. Most more complex programs need an installation to run correctly.

drummerboy · 01-15-2006, 03:07 PM

yeah ryt

krimson_king · 01-15-2006, 04:35 PM

for speed reasons. if they didnt need installation, every time you ran a game, it would take a very longggg time, and you would probably decrease the life of your hdd

liquidshadow · 01-15-2006, 07:20 PM

Usually, a big program needs its libraries (dlls) and such. A cd is a compressed version. The exe in a cd is only a decompresser which will decompress all the files into usable format onto the HDD.

ilovefishsticks · 01-16-2006, 06:12 AM

k thanks guys, that answers my question.

Quote:

Programs that dont need an install are usually small freeware progs that can run directly from the exe.

and yeah, i was refering to small freeware programs when i said u dont need an install for them.
anyone expierenced in programing that knows how you go about making a programing that uses install shield or some wizard to install a program?

computerhakk · 01-16-2006, 07:23 AM

yea. something like this.
http://www.softpile.com/Development/...002_index.html

do you mind paying? or want a freeware?

**Praetor** · 01-21-2006, 03:33 PM

Well one easy reason to install is to register your program to a speific filetype ... i.e. you can have your program be associatred with the say, .BLAH files.

Trizoy · 01-22-2006, 01:29 AM

.praetor files

the ones that cause the BSOD

01-15-2006, 05:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
ilovefishsticks Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chicago, IL USA Age: 18 Posts: 396	why do programs/games need to install? I know this may seem like kind of a dumb, noobish question, but why do most programs and games need to install? And why is it some dont need to install __________________ My Computer Specs NVidia GeForce 6600 256mb Intel D195PCY motherboard Intel Pentium 4 3.2 Ghtz HT 300 GB Seagate SATA HDD 2048mb 533mhtz ddr2 corsair (1x1024)(2x512) Aspire X-Dreamer II case Ultra X-Connect PSU BenQ Dvd-R and DVD-RW 5.1 logitech x530 speaker system 19 inch Fuji Plus LCD monitor

01-15-2006, 06:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
gamerman4 Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Arkansas Age: 18 Posts: 1,310	....what program u got that doesn't need an install? Programs that dont need an install are usually small freeware progs that can run directly from the exe. All an installation is, is an easier way to put all the files on a place on your hard drive without the user manually doing it, also installing adds registry values and puts things in your system files sometimes. Most more complex programs need an installation to run correctly. __________________ NZXT Nemesis Elite Black Intel Q6600 @ 3.20 Ghz COOLER MASTER RL-EUL-GBU1-GP Watercooling Gigabyte DS3R P965 HDDs: 2 x 80GB 1 x 250GB 1 x 500GB 1x 750GB 2 x 1GB Patriot Extreme Perf. DDR2 nVidia 8800GT 512MB Antec Smartpower 2.0 400 Watt

01-15-2006, 03:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
drummerboy New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 23	yeah ryt __________________ Intel 630 (3.0G) 2mb HT LGA775 160G Seagate Barracuda 7200 Serial ATA 512 Mb of Ram 1x Kingston(512 Mb) Inno3D Geforce 6600 256 mb -128 bit

01-15-2006, 04:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
krimson_king Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: connecticut Age: 21 Posts: 466	for speed reasons. if they didnt need installation, every time you ran a game, it would take a very longggg time, and you would probably decrease the life of your hdd __________________ sí, señor.

01-15-2006, 07:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
liquidshadow Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 1,030	Usually, a big program needs its libraries (dlls) and such. A cd is a compressed version. The exe in a cd is only a decompresser which will decompress all the files into usable format onto the HDD. __________________ Intel Q6600 \| D-Tek Fuzion Block Asus P5K Deluxe \| Swiftech MCR320 Rad G-Skill 4GB \| Swiftech MCRES-MICRO Res WD Raptor 150 \| EK FC8800 GTX Block Seagate 320GB \| 3 * Yate Loon DM12SL Samsung S182 \| Swiftech MCP655 Pump Coolmax 700W Antec P180b BUY MY STuff: http://www.computerforum.com/80556-comp.html

01-16-2006, 07:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
computerhakk VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: THOJhakk county Posts: 3,635	yea. something like this. http://www.softpile.com/Development/...002_index.html do you mind paying? or want a freeware? __________________ "Remember, wrong advice may be worse than no advice at all." ::COMPUTERHAKK:::

01-21-2006, 03:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Praetor Administrator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Age: 25 Posts: 19,954	Well one easy reason to install is to register your program to a speific filetype ... i.e. you can have your program be associatred with the say, .BLAH files. __________________ ASUS P5K Premium WiFi-AP, Q6600@3.7 / ASUS P5ND, E6400@3.8 4GB OCz Platinum XTC 8500 / 4GB CorsairXMS2 6400 5x500GB Seagate 7200.10 / 2x500 Seagate 7200.10 OCz 8800GTX 768MB @ 630/800 / 2x Galaxy 8800GT SLI

01-22-2006, 01:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
Trizoy VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mountain View, Ca Posts: 4,664	.praetor files the ones that cause the BSOD __________________ 01100110 01100001 01110010 01110100

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