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MySQL Uses Microsoft's Open Source Software

Posted by timothy on from the interesting-territory dept.

EqualSlash writes "The Windows installer for the upcoming MySQL 4.1 release will be built using Microsoft's first ever open source project - Windows Installer XML toolset(Wix). According to an InternetNews report, they are using Wix to convert the MSI file designed using InstallShield into XML to achieve greater control over the installer. Of course, they are simply using it because it's Open Source (CPL license) and in good faith. Earlier this year, when Microsoft surprised everybody by releasing the Wix project under an open source license, some were cautious about using it, as the specific XML schema it uses might be patented just like the Office xml schema. Whatever.. Rob Mensching, Wix's lead developer, is very happy about MySQL choosing to use Wix for their installer."

2 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Software packaging underrated by quantum+bit · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Any large customer nowadays wants all the software to be re-packaged in MSI format (hell, repackaging Oracle Client sucks, you can believe me!).

    Sort of a tangent, but I want to send a large "BAH!" to Oracle on behalf of everyone who has to deal with their buggy software. Any software on any OS which cannot properly deal with spaces in filenames is horribly broken in my book. After seeing the awfulness that is the "Oracle Installer" I wonder why anyone thinks their database is so hot.

  2. This would be perfect for Mozilla Firefox, too! by ManxStef · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Assuming there aren't any overriding difficulties with patents or licence problems, this would absolutely ideal for deploying Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird. One of the biggest issues holding Firefox back from enterprise deployment in MS shops is the fact that there's no MSI installer. This would allow it to be rolled out to all the desktops domain-wide via Group Policy and , as the installer tracks any changes made, it can be rolled-back/uninstalled or upgraded easily. All that would needed to add to that would be some basic properties (hopefully via GPOs also) to allow admins to customise & lock it down a little (say, auto-set the web proxy details), and it'd be perfect!

    In fact, after doing a quick search it looks like someone's already done it (don't know if it uses WiX, though it is mentioned in the Bugzilla listing):
    http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=1380 33

    Superb! Finally a way to get rid of IE from the corporate desktops :)