IzPack |
|
| Developer(s) | Julien Ponge and the community |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 4.3.5 / November 30, 2011 |
| Preview release | 5.0.0-beta8 / July 1, 2011 |
| Written in | Java |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | Software development tools |
| License | Apache License 2.0 |
| Website | http://izpack.org |
IzPack is an open source software installer generator that targets the Java platform.
It generates installers that fit in single JAR archives. As such, IzPack-generated installers are cross-platform: the same installer works on any operating system that has a working Java Runtime Environment. IzPack itself is a command-line utility, but a Java Swing based front end application, PackJacket, exists, which aims to create a simpler way to make IzPack-generated installers.
IzPack is released under the terms of the liberal Apache License version 2.0.
Contents |
IzPack was started in 2001 by Julien Ponge. A community started to appear around the project, and the development began to be made using a CVS server hosted by Tuxfamily.
The project moved in January 2004 to BerliOS. It later opted for Subversion instead of CVS.
In February 2008, the project moved to Codehaus[1]
Although primarily meant to create cross-platform installers[2], IzPack allows for some operating system dependent customizations. For example, it is able to create shortcuts on Microsoft Windows systems and freedesktop.org-compliant desktop / window managers.
IzPack installers can be greatly customized. Each step of an installation is materialized by a panel. A wide range of panels is available for packagers to use: it is possible to freely choose and order them. Should the choice be too limited, custom panels can be created by application developers.
The installer builder is available as a command-line tool. It can be invoked from Apache Ant automated build as well.
Finally, IzPack provides a set of utilities: