User Guide

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Setting Options
Setting ExpressBuild Options
" Professional and Enterprise Editions only.
Note
For multi-processor compile to occur using distributed computers, all source files of the
installation must be on a shared drive and must be specified in the installation with UNC
paths. (Example: \\SERVER\file.exe). In addition, when you open the installation file, you
must open it in such a way that it is referenced by a UNC path. Example: After selecting File >
Open, browse to the installation underneath the My Network Places icon or type the entire
UNC path in the File Name field. These requirements do not apply to using multiple
processors within one computer.
With ExpressBuild, you can use multiple processors to speed compile time for large
builds. Use multiple processors on the local computer, and use the main processor of
multiple distributed computers (called a build group). The processors on the local
computer can be physical or virtual processors. You can also set up your own computer
to provide processing power for another build computer.
ExpressBuild speeds compile time by distributing the time-consuming task of
compressing .CAB files among multiple processors. Therefore, the greatest time savings
are realized when you have multiple .CAB files. Specify .CAB file creation rules in
Installation Expert > Media page.
If you turn ExpressBuild on, it is turned on globally; that is, it is in effect for all
installation files you open, regardless of when they were created.
How ExpressBuild Groups Work
" Professional and Enterprise Editions only.
You can specify a build group of computers within the same NT domain or workgroup to
share processing of compiles. To specify a build group, first you select an arbitrary name
for the build group. Then, on those computers that will be part of a build group, you do
one of 2 things:
! If Wise for Windows Installer is not installed, then run WiseExpressBuild.exe, which
is located in the share point directory. The Wise ExpressBuild dialog opens. Specify
the group name and whether the WiseExpressBuild.exe should open at system
startup. WiseExpressBuild.exe runs in the background and responds to and manages
compile requests from the build computer. You can open it and edit its properties by
double-clicking on its icon in the Windows taskbar.
! If Wise for Windows Installer is installed, open it on that computer. Select Tools menu
> Options, click the ExpressBuild tab, and mark the Allow My Computer to Build
for Others checkbox. (In Visual Studio: Tools menu > Options > Wise Options >
Prompts.) Then enter the group name of the build group your computer will build for.
Do this on each computer that will share processing as part of a single build group.
When you click OK on the Options dialog, the WiseExpressBuild.exe immediately
begins running on your computer, with its icon showing in the system tray area of
your taskbar.
Note
Performance slowdowns will occur on computers in build groups when they are called upon to
help process compiles.