Packaging Multi-Technology Applications as MSIX | Advanced Installer vs. Visual Studio
It can be challenging to create a software package that works seamlessly across different technologies and platforms.
In this article, I will highlight how Advanced Installer enables you to package multi-technology apps using MSIX technology. I will also compare it to Visual Studio to get a different perspective.
What are Multi-Technology Applications?
Before we dig deeper into packaging Multi-Technology Applications, let’s understand what they are.
Multi-technology applications are applications developed with various IDEs and build environments, and can communicate with the platform and each other.
Let’s say there are different applications that need to run on a platform (e.g. Windows), such as ElectronJS, WPF, and Python applications. These applications need to be able to communicate with the platform but also be able to communicate with each other. And that's where a Multi-technology application comes in handy.
The Solution: Creating an MSIX Package for Multi-Technology Applications
Considering the above requirements, the best approach is to package all three apps into a single MSIX package so that they run in the same container.
MSIX is the latest format for Windows applications and provides a range of benefits for developers and end-users, including increased security, improved compatibility, and simplified deployment.
If you are new to MSIX, start by reading our introduction to MSIX article:MSIX Introduction: A comprehensive 24-chapter guide.
By packaging multi-technology applications into an MSIX package, the apps can communicate with each other while also ensuring compatibility, so that the exact version of each app is in the right container with the required version of the other applications. This way, you prevent unsupported versions from being released.
One of the most important things to consider when creating a software package is the tool you will use.
Visual Studio is one of the most popular tools for creating Windows applications. However, Visual Studio may not be the best choice for creating an MSIX package for multi-technology applications since it is limited only to WPF applications.
Unlike Visual Studio, Advanced Installer can handle multiple types of applications, making it an ideal tool for those who need to package multi-technology applications using different build environments and IDEs.
Are you new to Advanced Installer?
Advanced Installer is a comprehensive tool that offers a wide range of features for creating software packages, including MSIX packages. Try it out through our 30-day full feature trial.
Why is Advanced Installer the Solution of Choice for Creating MSIX Packages?
Apart from the multi-technology support, Advanced Installer, offers a wide range of features for creating and deploying MSIX packages:
Customization options: With Advanced Installer, you are able to customize your application packages to suit your requirements. You are able to use advanced features such as prerequisites, application virtualization, and application repositories to ensure that your packages were deployed correctly.
User-friendly interface: Advanced Installer's user-friendly interface made it easy for you to create, manage, and distribute your software packages, saving time and streamlining your application packaging process.
Deployment options: Advanced Installer offers a variety of deployment options, including publishing to Microsoft Store, Microsoft Intune, or SCCM. This gives you the flexibility to choose the best deployment option for your applications.
Support assistance: The team provides ongoing support and maintenance to ensure that your installation and deployment process remains smooth and efficient. They'll be there to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have.
Conclusion
To sum up, creating a software package that can run seamlessly across different technologies and platforms can be a daunting task.
However, by packaging multi-technology applications into a single MSIX package, developers can ensure compatibility and increase security for end-users.
Compared to Visual Studio, Advanced Installer can handle multiple types of applications, making it an ideal choice for developers who need to package multi-technology applications.
What tool are you using for creating MSIX packages for multi-technology applications? Please, let us know in the comments section below.
Written by
Alexandra Stoienescu
Alexandra has been part of the marketing team for over two years now and uses all this time to learn about the packaging industry and how Advanced Installer contributes to the industry. Slowly she developed into a prolific product marketer, being involved in multiple types of product promotion initiatives. We are happy to have her sharing her findings on the Advanced Installer Blog. You can also find her communicating monthly Advanced Installer releases and ensuring that our users get the most out of Advanced Installer.