Comments on: Installing Web Applications

By: Aaron Saray

Aaron Saray — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 02:46:39 +0000

Another thought for ease of installation would be a top down 1 long PHP script distribution (the only caveat is that it would require the user PHP/apache is running as to have write access to the file system where the script is running).

Anyway, the theory is this: The automated tool parses the directory structure and makes a list of the php folders and files. It then brings all of the directory structure making code into the first part of this php file. Then, it brings in the code for each PHP file into the source as well. So, when you “drag and drop” the code into the location, and run it, it makes the distribution (and possibly can delete itself? I haven’t thought this idea out…)

Then, any data could also be imported into the end (sql insertion etc…)… but this would require configuration questions as the script runs – which are still easy to do.

Finally, any website that serves these php files would send a header of plain text for the .php files in their download section. This way, you’d get ‘aaronsAwesomeProgram.php’ with the proper extension ready to be executed (without being processed on the host machine).

I’m sure there are errors in this – because I just thought of it off the top of my head… and I apologize if any of the packages mentioned above do this – I haven’t had a chance to check them out yet.

Finally, as an afterthought – the mac installation – the windows installation, both are desktop environments primarily… When you’re installing something on a server, the security model is usually different (for example, the last time I installed something on a windows 2003 server, I had to run-as and authenticate as an administrator)… so, where most PHP scripts are running, they are under more strict security models as well – kind of getting rid of this whole drag and drop installation paradigm.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 05:43:05 +0000

I have a mac and I can’t find a program to set up the files I download, I have them on my computer but it seems none of the applications will run the file, is there anything you can recommend?

By: Improving Web Application Installation as a Security Imperative | Professional PHP

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 05:19:37 +0000

[...] I’ve advocated better web application installation for a while, but as a usability issue. Increasingly, it is also a security issue. Just another example of why I think the PEAR installer is important. (and why I hope Zend PHP Framework is released on a PEAR channel.) [...]

By: Zend Framework Webcast | Professional PHP

Zend Framework Webcast | Professional PHP — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 22:29:25 +0000

[...] It is much better to be able to declare dependencies on individual packages, rather than on one huge bundle of components. Monolithic distribution unnecessarily ties together the release schedules of packages that might otherwise have no common dependencies. Micro-packages on a PEAR channel are the future of PHP web application installation. [...]

By: another fool

another fool — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 02:22:28 +0000

In the windows world, drag-n-drop installs are generally known as “malware”. In the Mac world, it is the ideal. Go figure.

By: Jeff Moore’s Blog » Blog Archive » Installing PEAR Based Applications

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 05:06:50 +0000

[...] I’d like to better integrate WACT with some PEAR packages. My primary concern is over the installation implications. I didn’t find a “powered by PEAR” sectio [...]

By: The Chronicles of Stuffed Guys » Blog Archive » Self extracting web installer

Thu, 10 Mar 2005 16:39:59 +0000

[...] al software Not require unarchiving (a wish, i know) Not require obscure PHP modules http://www.procata.com/blog/archives/2004/11/24/installing-web-applicati [...]

By: pacoit

pacoit — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 01:34:17 +0000

I think a lot can be done and has been accomplished through various package managers and PEAR. However, I see an unfair comparison between a “Mac like” install and an install on a hosted server with limited priviledges. After all, on the Mac, you are at your computer; you have access to the console; and you have all permissions.

Aside from that:
1) dependencies (ie, MySQL) are ok as long as they can be installed just as easily.

2) mimick *nix installs, with config files in user dir (ie, /home/webapps), so upgrades don’t override user config.

3) …more

The biggest thing may be to agree upon a standard. We’ll also need a repository with packages checked for proper build by a trusted group.

By: Jeff Moore’s Blog » Blog Archive » PEAR Channels

Jeff Moore’s Blog » Blog Archive » PEAR Channels — Mon, 07 Mar 2005 22:08:44 +0000

[...] ted in the new PEAR channels. I like where this is going. I especially like the idea of web application installers (versus library installers). [...]

By: Nick Clarke

Nick Clarke — Sun, 19 Dec 2004 14:04:16 +0000

I just read the post and this came to mind:
http://izforge.com/izpack/

The only limitation would be that you have to have java installed, but it does run on the main OS’s

Nick