Introduction
Sfx

Version 1

Copyright © 2001 Angus Johnson & Carl Bunton

Overview:

Sfx.exe is a tiny executable which can be joined to a zip file enabling it to extract the zip contents without needing a separate zip utility. A zip file with this ability is commonly called a ‘self-extracting’ zip file.

The Sfx file’s caption, copyright/product info label and post extraction commandline statement can be modified without recompiling the executable simply by editing a small optional text file.

When creating a ‘self-extracting’ zip file with sfx.exe, the creator has a choice of two main dialogs:

1. a smaller dialog which offers the installer no choice over which files to extract ...

2. a larger dialog which allows the installer to chose which files to extract ...

Customising the dialog:

An optional text file can be sandwiched between sfx.exe and the appended zip file to customise the sfx dialog. The layout of this file is specific:

!!

Y

Dialog caption

Product or copyright info

Commandline statement to run following extract.

!!

The first line immediately following !! must consist of one character, either a Y or N. Y = show file list, N = don’t show file list (smaller dialog). The following 3 lines modify the main dialog caption, the product info label and a commandline statement to run following file extraction. The commandline statement recognises <?> as a place holder for the folder into which the extraction occurred. For example: If  ‘info\readme.txt’ will be extracted, then this file can be displayed immediately following the extraction by using the following commandline statement: “<?>info\readme.txt”. (nb: Double quotes around paths which may contain spaces are essential to avoid interpreting these spaces as separating command parameters.) Any text following the second !! will be ignored.

Acknowledgements:

The extraction algorithms used in Sfx.exe have been generously provided by Carl Bunton of Microchip Data Systems (http://www.ziptv.com/).

Licence Agreement:

The Sfx executable and source code is released as freeware. The source code remains copyrighted by the named authors and if distributed, the copyright information must remain intact and displayed at the top of the respective files.

DISCLAIMER: A user Sfx acknowledges that he or she is receiving this software on an "as is" basis and the user is not relying on the accuracy or functionality of the software for any purpose.

The user further acknowledges that any use of this software will be at the user's own risk and the copyright owner accepts no responsibility whatsoever arising from the use or application of the software.