How do you install Tomcat 6 as a service using the Wix ServiceInstall Tag?

Question

How do you install Tomcat 6 as a service using the Wix ServiceInstall Tag? Is there a way to do it, or do I need to use a custom action to call the executable or batch file that comes with it to install the service?

Answer 1

The Windows Installer requires the KeyPath of the Component with a ServiceInstall element ot be the file that is the service. Said a different way, you must mark the Tomcat 6 service executable (tomcat.exe?) File element with KeyPath="yes". Then put the ServiceInstall element in the same Component.

If you are not installing the Tomcat 6 service executable yourself then you do have to turn to a custom action. Remember with a custom action to think about repair/upgrade/uninstall/patching and rollback for all that. Custom actions are a lot of work.