Get INI file value with WiX

Question

I'd like to read a value from an INI file in a WiX installer. I've just tried to use IniFileSearch, but this looks for an INI file or a path specified in an INI file (the documentation isn't clear), it doesn't read a value from an INI file.

Do I need a customaction to do this? And if so, what would people suggest? Seems very strange if WiX doesn't have this, though!

Code I'm using:

<Property Id="SP">
    <IniFileSearch Id="SearchSPVersion" Name="sp.ini" Section="ServicePack"
    Key="Version" Type="raw">
     <DirectorySearch Id="SPIniFilePath" Path="[CFGPATH]">
      <FileSearch Id="SPIniFile" Name="sp.ini"/>
     </DirectorySearch>
    </IniFileSearch>
</Property>

INI file:

[ServicePack] 
Version=1

I've tried with and without the directory and file search (using full path in 'name'), and I've tried type = "raw", "file" and "directory".

Answer 1

The Windows Installer documentation states that the .ini file must be present in the default Microsoft Windows directory.

It's a bit confusing as FileSearch and DirectorySearch are valid WiX children, however I believe this is for searching for a file or directory specified within the INI file itself. You'll notice the three types of values you can search for within an INI file are directory, file and raw.

It's a limitation of Windows Installer, not of WiX. The Microsoft interfaces for reading INI files (e.g. GetPrivateProfileString) looks in the Windows folder if a path is not specified. I guess the Windows Installer team decided not to simplify things and only support INI files in the Windows folder by not allowing a dynamic path.

Answer 2

Try this in a DTF custom action: INI File Reader in C#