v1.6 [Apr 1, 2012]
This version brings two important enhancements compared to 1.4 series: improved code completion for .wxs files and .NET prerequisite module support.
.NET prerequisite modules
The 1.4 series had basic support for basic prerequisites in C bootstrapper, so it was possible to install some basic software before the main GUI started. This mechanism is perfect for installing tools like .NET Framework needed by the main installer GUI or Windows Installer. However if you want to install some other prerequisites when the application is being installed then .NET prerequisite modules will be a better fit. With these modules you can package logic that is needed to detect presence and optionally install given piece of software. Right now SharpSetup 1.6 comes with 3 modules: one for detecting and installing .NET Framework 2.0/3.5/4.0, one for detecting and installing VC Redistributable Package 2005/2008/2010 and one for detecting Windows version. Of course future releases will get more modules and you are free to write your own prerequisite modules.
Another extensible part of this mechanism are file providers - they abstract the location of the files needed to install the prerequisite. SharpSetup 1.6 comes with local store/retrieve provider and http retrieve provider. The local provider allows the files to be retrieved either from within the installer file or from location relative to the installer file. The http download provider allows to retrieve files from web locations (either your site or original manufacturer's site).
Code completion
Windows Installer XML toolset comes with XSD files that allow Visual Studio to provide code completion for .wxs files. However, those files only describe static aspects of .wxs files like tag names or fixed lists of attribute values. SharpSetup 1.6 extends this behaviour to display names of already defined components, features, properties, etc. in Visual Studio code completion lists. Additionally automatically generated GUIDs are provided where appropriate.
It includes Inno Setup and an option to install the Script Studio editor.
