Software update: NSIS 2.07 beta 0

The first beta version of Nullsoft Scriptable Install System 2.07 was recently released by the Nullsoft development team. The program, as the name implies, is a software package with which installations can be made in a simple way. After creating a simple script, the program then creates a nice compact installer, in addition, an uninstall option can also be given. The most striking change is that the solid compression can now be controlled per command switch. The release notes look like this:

Due to severe problems with the space-time continuum (read: too much to do, too little time), I have decided to release a beta version of 2.07 so you, the users, can easily help me test it.

So… What’s new? First and foremost, there is the build system. It owns. Worship it. I can finally build (almost) the entire package with one command line. And fast. And with multiple parallel jobs. And with pretty colors. Actually, no colors yet… Why is it good for average Joe, you ask? Well, it allowed me to easily add an option to the script to change to solid compression without recompiling NSIS. It also means you’ll be able to download real nightly CVS builds. when? Once I get WINE and CL to figure out what a define is. What else is new in this version? Some new language files, the usual collection of bug fixes and documentation typo fixes… Nothing too critical…

Now for some things you need to know before you start playing with this new hot version. The first you’ll probably notice is your installer growing by size. This is because solid compression is no longer the default for lzma and bzip2. You’ll need to explicitly ask for solid compression using:

• SetCompressor /SOLID lzma

Another thing you’ll notice is the new structure of the directory. Documentation of various modules has been moved into the Docs folder and example into the Examples folder.

Right, so that’s it for 2.07 beta 0. Please start the bug reports flood and don’t spare on the patches too.

Oh, one last thing… There is no installer for this version, just a zip file with the compiled executables. I haven’t finished updating making sis.nsi yet. Patch anyone?