Wrapping Files in One Executable Package

Question

I would like to wrap a bunch of files (.exe.xml, some images) in 1 executable package. When the user launches this executable package, the .exe included in this executable package must be launched. Is this possible primarily on the Windows platform?

What I'm not looking for is a self-extracting zip or installer, because both of them actually move the new files to the hard drive.

Why do I need it? I want the user to have only one file so that it is easily distributed.

Thanks in advance

Bart

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Thank you for your responses. I must admit that I am not an application developer, so this is all a little new to me. I am actually a Flash developer. I would like to be more specific and explain to you what I'm actually trying to do:

I developed the following files:

• viewer.exe (a standalone viewer with flash memory, it is usually a compiled .swf, but for this type of file you need a browser plug-in player to show itself).
• content.xml
• folder with images of different types

Viewer.exe loads content.xml, creates a presentation using specific content in content.xml (with links to different images in the image folder).

My client is not very similar to the full structure with all the different files, because it is not easy to distribute these files. So I'm trying to "wrap" all the files in one .exe or something else :)

I hope I'm a little clearer.

If one of your solutions can still create such a package, please feel free to correct and train me :)

Bart

Answer 1

Is there a reason you couldn't use the embedded resources for your XML / image files?

Answer 2

You can attach whatever you want to the end of the executable file. What I did was attach my files and then int to tell how long my payload was such that (psuedo):

payload.size = readInteger(exe.size - sizeof(int)) payload.offset = exe.size - sizeof(int) - payload.size 

Answer 3

Three approaches you may want: if you need to link only images / audio and other non-executable files (without DLL, OCX, etc.), then you can find information about resource files ; You are not limited to the types specified in the related article, but there are special helpers for them. Otherwise - if you want to link executable files or choose a simpler solution - you can use thinstall or molebox

Answer 4

It is certainly possible. Tcl has the ability to be included as a star, which is an executable file with a built-in virtual file system. In this file system you can embed xml, images, sounds, scripts, etc. Tcl'ers has been doing a single-user installation for many years.