Method and system for installing files in a computing system

• US 6,718,373 B1
• Filed: 11/30/1999
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Bearden, Brian S., Johnson, Don B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dharia, Rupal
• Assistant Examiner(s): MIRZA, ADNAN M
• Application Number:
  US09/452,114
• Time in Patent Office: 1,589 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/221, 709/228, 717/11, 717/175, 717/174, 710/17
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation

Abstract

In a computing system, a computer-readable medium is for storing information. At least one computing device is for receiving at least one installation file and multiple installable files. The installation file includes at least one table for specifying an installation of a subset of the installable files. Also, the computing device is for identifying the subset in response to the table. Moreover, the computing device is for outputting the installation file and the identified subset of the installable files for storage by the computer-readable medium, such that less than all of the installable files are concurrently stored by the computer-readable medium.

Claims

1. A computing system, comprising:

a computer-readable medium for storing information; and

a computing device for;

receiving an installation file that is associated with a software application, wherein the installation file specifies a plurality of installable features that are associated with the software application, and wherein the installation file specifies a plurality of installable files that are associated with the installable features;

identifying first and second subsets of the installable features, wherein the first subset of the installable features is to be installed onto the computer-readable medium, wherein the second subset of the installable features is to be omitted from installation onto the computer-readable medium, wherein the first subset of the installable features includes a first installable feature, and wherein the second subset of the installable features includes a second installable feature;

in response to the installation file and at least one of the first and second subsets of the installable features, identifying first and second subsets of the installable files, wherein the first subset of the installable files is to be installed onto the computer-readable medium, wherein the second subset of the installable files is to be omitted from installation onto the computer-readable medium, and wherein a particular installable file is omitted from the second subset of the installable files in response to the particular installable file being associated with both of the first and second installable features; and

outputting the installation file and the first subset of the installable files for storage by the computer-readable medium.

2. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the computer readable medium is a hard disk.

3. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the computing device is a server computing device.

4. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the computer readable medium is a first computer-readable medium, and wherein the computing device receives the installation file and the installable files from a second computer-readable medium.

5. The computing system of claim 4 wherein the second computer-readable medium is a hard disk.

6. The computing system of claim 4 wherein the second computer-readable readable medium is a CD-ROM.

7. The computing system of claim 4 wherein the second computer readable medium is a network.

8. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the computing device is for:

outputting the first subset of the installable files for installation onto the computer-readable medium in response to the installation file.

25. The computing system of claim 8 wherein the first subset of the installable files is associated with the software application for installation on the computer-readable medium.

9. A computing system, comprising:

a first computer-readable medium for storing information including an installation file that is associated with a software application, wherein the installation file specifies a plurality of installable features that are associated with the software application, and wherein the installation file specifies a plurality of installable files that are associated with the installable features; and

a first computing device for;

identifying first and second subsets of the installable features, wherein the first subset of the installable features is to be installed onto a second computer-readable medium, wherein the second subset of the installable features is to be omitted from installation onto the second computer-readable medium wherein the first subset of the installable features includes a first installable feature, and wherein the second subset of the installable features includes a second installable feature;

in response to the installation file and at least one of the first and second subsets of the installable features, identifying first and second subsets of the installable files, wherein the first subset of the installable files is to be installed onto the second computer-readable medium, wherein the second subset of the installable files is to be omitted from installation onto the second computer-readable medium, and wherein a particular installable file is omitted from the second subset of the installable files in response to the particular installable file being associated with both of the first and second installable features; and

outputting the installation file and the first subset of the installable files to a second computing device for storage onto the second computer-readable medium.

10. The computing system of claim 9 wherein the second computer readable medium is a hard disk.

11. The computing system of claim 9 wherein the first computing device is a server computing device.

12. The computing system of claim 9 wherein the first computer-readable medium is a hard disk.

13. The computing system of claim 9 wherein the first computer-readable medium is a CD-ROM.

14. The computing system of claim 9 wherein the first computing device is for:

outputting the first subset of the installable files to the second computing device for installation onto the second computer-readable medium in response to the installation file.

26. The computing system of claim 14 wherein the first subset of the installable files is associated with the software application for installation onto the second computer-readable medium.

15. A method performed by a computing system, the method comprising:

receiving an installation file that is associated with a software application, wherein the installation file specifies a plurality of installable features that are associated with the software application, and wherein the installation file specifies a plurality of installable files that are associated with the installable features;

identifying first and second subsets of the installable features, wherein the first subset of the installable features is to be installed onto a computer-readable medium, wherein the second subset of the installable features is to be omitted from installation onto the computer-readable medium, wherein the first subset of the installable features includes a first installable feature, and wherein the second subset of the installable features includes a second installable feature;

in response to the installation file and at least one of the first and second subsets of the installable features, identifying first and second subsets of the installable files, wherein the first subset of the installable files is to be installed onto the computer-readable medium, wherein the second subset of the installable files is to be omitted from installation onto the computer-readable medium, and wherein a particular installable file is omitted from the second subset of the installable files in response to the particular installable file being associated with both of the first and second installable features; and

outputting the installation file and the first subset of the installable files for storage by the computer-readable medium.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the outputting comprises outputting the installation file and the identified subset of the installable files for storage by a first computer-readable medium and wherein the receiving comprises receiving the installation file and the installable files from a second computer-readable medium.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the receiving comprises receiving the installation file and the installable files from a hard disk.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the receiving comprises receiving the installation file and the installable files from a CD-ROM.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the receiving comprises receiving the installation file and the installable files from a network.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the outputting comprises outputting the first subset of the installable files for installation onto the computer-readable medium in response to the installation file.

27. The method of claim 20 wherein the outputting comprises outputting the installation file and the first subset of the installable files for storage by the computer-readable medium the first subset of the installable files being associated with the software application for installation on the computer-readable medium.

21. A method performed by a first computing system, the method comprising:

on a first computer-readable medium, storing information including an installation file that is associated with a software application, wherein the installation file specifies a plurality of installable features that are associated with the software application, and wherein the installation file specifies a plurality of installable files that are associated with the installable features;

identifying first and second subsets of the installable features, wherein the first subset of the installable features is to be installed onto a second computer-readable medium, wherein the second subset of the installable features is to be omitted from installation onto the second computer-readable medium wherein the first subset of the installable features includes a first installable feature, and wherein the second subset of the installable features includes a second installable feature;

in response to the installation file and at least one of the first and second subsets of the installable features, identifying first and second subsets of the installable files, wherein the first subset of the installable files is to be installed onto the second computer-readable medium, wherein the second subset of the installable files is to be omitted from installation onto the second computer-readable medium, and wherein a particular installable file is omitted from the second subset of the installable files in response to the particular installable file being associated with both of the first and second installable features; and

outputting the installation file and the first subset of the installable files to a second computing system for storage onto the second computer-readable medium.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the storing comprises storing the information on a hard disk.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the storing comprises storing the information on a CD-ROM.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the outputting comprises outputting the first subset of the installable files to the second computing system for installation onto the second computer-readable medium in response to the installation file.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein the outputting comprises outputting the installation file and the first subset of the installable files to the second computing system, the first subset of the installable files being associated with the software application for installation onto the second computer-readable medium.