Application data directory question

[Tiles]

When i install a program i can choose to install some parts into the Application Data Directory.

Problem is, there are two Application Data Directories. One for the current user, one for all users.

Now let`s say you want to install a application at Vista or Win7, which i both don`t have. And you want your user to work with a highscore table. Does this still work with the Application Data Directory for the user that has installed it? Keep in mind that he might not install it as administrator.

Or the other way around, how do i work with the Application Data Directory for All Users ? Installer just installs in the current user Application Data Directory, not in the one for all users ...

[Game_Master]

Use the YASO extensions expressions to get the AppData directories.

[MuddyMole]

Honestly, I'd much rather you keep everything in the same folder as the game itself. I don't want random files scattered all over my HDD as a result of installing some Klik game that I'll be bored of after a week.

[James]

Honestly, I'd much rather you keep everything in the same folder as the game itself. I don't want random files scattered all over my HDD as a result of installing some Klik game that I'll be bored of after a week.

Ever heard of UAC?

[Dynasoft]

You shouldn't really install anything to the app data folders. They are for per-user data, such as program settings, game highscores, etc. It should be stuff your app can write out when it needs to, not things that need to be installed before use.

[Nifflas]

Don't worry about Vista or 7, the paths are different but the file object will return the right corresponding paths that does the same thing as on XP. I'm unsure what you mean when you say "install" to the application data folders. Normally, the installer shouldn't touch those areas and only put stuff in the program files directory. It's then the software itself that would normally create directories within the application data folders and store program settings there (or stuff like savegames or highscore tables). The point of those paths is that no admin privileges is required to write to them.

To everyone else who read the above discussion (I'm not saying this to Tiles), I'll clarify what Jamie just said because he makes a very valid point.

Sure, a portable piece of software that doesn't come with an installer can store data within its own application folder. Then, it will run nicely off USB drives and can be copied between computers easily. However, a lot of people (particularily regular computer users rather than experts) prefer installers. Although I try to go portable only, software with installers do have the advantage of simply being easier to install, and as UAC protects the program files folder, they are more secure as they can't get infected by anything.

Now, if you install a program into the Program Files directory, the software itself doesn't get write permissions to its own folder if either (1) the user does not have administrator privileges, or (2) the user is an administrator on Vista or 7 and have UAC enabled. Now, if your software writes data to Apppath$, in case of (1) the user won't be able to run your software. In case of (2) the UAC dialog will pop up and any expert will decide you are a bad programmer or create malicious software as it requests full system access only to store files at the wrong place.

By this reason, we have the application data folders. It's a recommended standard to use them. Either follow the set rules, or make portable software without installers.

[Jacob]

I like portable files. A self-extractor would be better, should be able to extract to the Program Files. Make sure to get Program Files (x86) on 64 bit systems

[Tiles]

Thanks for the answers guys

And special thanks to Jamie and Nifflas for your answers. At least they get the point

Use the YASO extensions expressions to get the AppData directories.

Yaso is an extension. I talk about installing. But thanks for the hint. I guess here you can retreive the appdatadir for all users then, right?

You shouldn't really install anything to the app data folders. They are for per-user data, such as program settings, game highscores, etc. It should be stuff your app can write out when it needs to, not things that need to be installed before use.

That`s what i want to do. Keep everything else in place, but install an array to the App data Directory. Nothing else. But NOT for a single user. I want to use the App Data Directory for ALL USERS. As told, there are two. And i want to share my highscore between all users

I like portable files. A self-extractor would be better, should be able to extract to the Program Files. Make sure to get Program Files (x86) on 64 bit systems

Self Extractors, hmm. Portables can be nice. But can a self extractor show a clickable EULA? Show tips? Call the docs? Can it install a shortcut? Can it install into the start menu? Can it install into several folders when necessary? Different folders i mean. Has it an uninstaller? Jamie and Nifflas also mentioned the security issues. You see, portable is no option for me, sorry. That`s why i have to bother with the Windows rights hassle

I'm unsure what you mean when you say "install" to the application data folders. Normally, the installer shouldn't touch those areas and only put stuff in the program files directory.

Oh, the Clickteam Installer can actually already install into the application data folders. But just into the current user one. See here:



Okay, back to the main problem. How do i install into the Appdatadir of All USERS? The one in the installer just installs into the Appdatadir of the current user. For me that`s a missing feature of the current install creator

[Nifflas]

I like portable files. A self-extractor would be better, should be able to extract to the Program Files. Make sure to get Program Files (x86) on 64 bit systems

That's bad practice. Portable software should under no circumstances go into the program files directory. Portable software is a non-standard and does by that reason not go into a standard system path, in particular not a protected path normal users doesn't have write permission to.

Portable software should either go into a .zip file or a self extractor that by default extracts the software to a folder in the same path (although it can let the user decide).

Oh, the Clickteam Installer can actually already install into the application data folders. But just into the current user one. See here:



Okay, back to the main problem. How do i install into the Appdatadir of All USERS? The one in the installer just installs into the Appdatadir of the current user. For me that`s a missing feature of the current install creator smile

Ah, I finally understand what your question is then. I wasn't able to figure out you were using MMF2's built in installer builder and that the problem was related to that. I thought it was a question about what practice to use when dealing with the application data paths. Anyway, I tried it out too and like you found no workaround. I guess this is just a missing feature, and it it would make sense for Clickteam to add it. As I use Inno Setup I don't know about Clickteam's install creator, but that might be worth a try.

[Tiles]

Sorry for my bad explanation

Thanks Nifflas. That answers my question. I have to create the folder in the All Users / Application Data manually then. Or use another installer that has this feature

Mh, one thing i never really understood is the aversion against installers that is around in the click community. Especially The Daily Click Users have more than once tried to force me to deliver my content with a zipfile instead an installer.

While i still don`t get this aversion against installers, i have seen how it has grown. There once was an user that tried to make an installer. And failed at it miserably. Was a bit more complicated these days, heh. As a reaction he and other users declared installers as evil. And this spreaded around then. Ooh, don`t use Installers, they are soo evil ...

It`s the other way around. Installers have their very valid useage. To install games in a proper manner for example