A zip self-extractor is a program that is attached to a zip file to allow the contents to be extracted without using a zip file reader such as Zipfocus or WinZip. Self-extractors are often used to distribute software. In this case, files may be extracted into a temporary folder before a command is issued to initiate program installation. When installation is complete (or when the computer is restarted) the temporary folder is deleted.
Zip self-extractor programs are often called SFXs. They may also be called stub programs since they do not usually do anything useful unless attached to a zip file.
Main Features
Zipfusion can be used with any zip tools that create type 0/8/9 (stored/deflate/deflate64) format zip files.
Version 6.0 supports Windows Vista User Account Control (UAC)
Appearance and behaviour are controlled using a text file that is embedded in the zip file (but not extracted).
An editor/tester/builder is included to facilitate the development process.
Version 6.0 includes a graphical user interface to set primary configuration parameters.
Other parameters are set using the integrated text editor.
When creating setup programs, files can be extracted into a temporary folder.
Temporay folders can be deleted when the setup program finishes or when Windows is restarted.
When extraction is complete the Zipfusion can open any program or document of your choice.
Zipfusion includes three self-extracting stub programs.
The Microlight stub is ~17KB. The File Extractor and Installer stub programs are ~50KB.
The File Extractor and Installer stub programs are highly versatile and support many behavioural and visual options.
These stub programs also supports language files. Any number can be embedded - the actual one used can be selected automatically according to the user's locale. Button sizes and dialog layout, etc. are automatically adjusted.
