Package a Xojo Mac application with other files that can be downloaded from a web site

Targets macOS
1

I have accomplished signing/notorizing a Mac application created by Xojo for the newest OS and Apple processor. (Whew!!)

Is there an easy way to package this (with other files) to put on the web that the user can then download and “install”

I can take the ark.app.zip file that the signing/notarizing process does and upload this file by itself and I can also zip a folder that has all the accompanying files I need to run the software and upload this, and in 2 steps unzip my folder after downloading it, and also drag the ark.app on to that same folder after downloading it, and it works.

I’m really struggling with figuring out an easy was to do this in one step instead of 2. Any help would be appreciated.

2

A few ways to go here. The most user-friendly is to create a pkg installer. This can install your app to the Applications folder and then copy the other files to SpecialFolder.ApplicationData.Child(“YourApp”) or wherever. You’d need to build your pkg, then sign and notarize that too.

You also could create a DMG, with instructions (generally an image that you use as your DMG’s background) and shortcuts to drag the app to Applications and the datafiles to wherever. This also would need to be built, signed, and notarized.

You also could build the code to download the supplemental files and place them from within your app itself. Or include them in the app’s Resources folder.

Or, like you said, two zip files and instructions. This is fine if your target user is a little more savvy, but it’s a bit awkward.

3

Maybe you like to test my personal Packager that I made in order to make an installer to my own products:

https://home.vdsc.eu:50010/d/s/19kOokBrTnIc6lvcO9PNpM4yfmJ3yySG/I00EEVrnF6weo5vldPNhFBRKwAN8sNFg-dLggLKifeg0

It’s in french. If interested I can translate it for future release.

4

Historically, a common way (I do this) is to make a zip file containing ‘things that need to go into application support’

I drag that to the IDE.

It gets compiled into the notarised app

At run time, I copy the zip file from SpecialFolder.Resources.Child(“support.zip”) to specialfolder.temporary

Then I silently or otherwise unzip the files to wherever they need to go.

5

@Tim_Meadows

Using the Signing/Notarizing options included in the Xojo IDE will output a .Zip file ready for Web distribution.

6

Thanks to everyone for some great ideas. I think I like the idea of putting one zip file in the resources folder and then unzipping it at startup. Might try the one that wrote a package installer… I’ll try some things out and reply back with what I did…

7

I need a little help with instructions. Here is what I am trying. I have a folder that has my Xojo app and some other companion files and folder to create a package from. I can’t seem to figure out how to get started with a new project or reference the source folder I want to use…