You Are Not Done Yet: Setup Special Cases

Last week I listed some tests to think about when you test your application's setup program. Y'all had some excellent additions. Today I extend that list with some more specialized conditions to consider. As before, some of these terms are specific to Microsoft Windows, but other operating systems generally have similar concepts.

Local caching. Depending how the setup program was authored, it may allow setup files to be cached on the local hard drive, which speeds up subsequent repair and other setup operations.

• Verify the correct files/archives are cached


• Verify all files shared with another feature or application are handled correctly across installs, uninstalls, and reinstalls


• Verify setups for multiple programs and multiple versions of individual programs share the cache correctly. This is especially important for shared files - imagine the havoc that might ensue if uninstalling one application removed from the cache a shared file other installed applications require!


• Verify deleting a file/archive from the cache causes a reinstall and recaches the file/archive

Setup authoring. Also knows as: Test your setup program.

• Verify every possible path through the setup program (including canceling at every cancel point) works correctly


• Verify the setup program includes the correct components, files, and registry settings


• Verify any custom actions or conditions, creation of shortcuts, and other special authoring works correctly


• Verify the correct install states are available


• Verify canceling an in-progress install in fact cancels and leaves no trace of the unfinished install

Multi-user setup. What happens when multiple users mess with modify the setup configuration of your application?

• Verify your application works correctly for User2 after User1 installs/modifies/damages it


• Verify per-user features must be installed by User2 even after User1 has installed them


• Verify User2's per-user settings do not change when User1 changes them

Network setup. Can you install your app from the network rather than a local CD?

• Verify your feature uninstalls cleanly and correctly when it was installed from the network (sometimes called a post-admin install)


• Verify the correct files are installed a) on the network share, and b) locally (as appropriate), when the application is installed as Run From Network

Posted by The Braidy Tester at 07:30 AM  Permalink