ZIPEXE - How to create & where ca I find the kits?

[Andreas Vollmer]

Hello,

Platform: AXP & I64
I would like to create ZIPEXE archives instead of ZIP's.
Where I can find the kits and how to create the ZIPEXE archives?

Couldn't find a hint in the FAQ about it.
I appreciate your feedback and help.
Kind Regards
Andreas

[Karl Rohwedder · Accepted solution]

You need the UNZIPSFX.EXE and the ZIP.EXE.
1st you create your ZIP archive using ZIP.
Then you add the UNZIPSFX.EXE:

$ COPY UNZIPSFX.EXE,ARCHIVE.ZIP ARCHIVE.EXE

To check the archive use MCR ARCHIVE -t

The kits should be found on the freeware archives.

regards Kalle

[Andy Bustamante]

You can get the ZIP/UNZIP utilities from the OpenVMS freeware site: http://h71000.www7.hp.com/openvms/freeware/index.html

Creating a ZIPEXE is documented under the ZIP utility.

Andy

[Hoff]

When you looked in the FAQ, what did you look for? zipexe? I'm here fishing for keywords to add to make this information easier to find. Here's the section presently in the FAQ:

>>>
Directions for creating and using the sfx self-extracting zip file compression mechanism are available in the unzip kit that is available at:

o Look in a recent unzip* directory at
http://www.hp.com/go/openvms/freeware/

With the UNZIP542 directory from Freeware V5.0, look for the file UNZIPSFX.TXT.

...
<<<

I'll toss a few additional details and keywords into the section for the next edition (including zipexe). And I'll tweak the FAQ text to reflect Freeware V8, and that the unzipsfx.txt file is remains present in the distro.


ps: if you have used the HTML-format FAQ, that's basically impossible to search in its current chunked incarnation. Use the text- or PDF-format FAQ for searching, and for easier downloads.

[Andreas Vollmer]

Hello again,

Many Thanks for your helpful feedback.

Hoff
- FAQ -
Yes, I searched the PDF FAQ for the string ZIPEXE.
I thing it would be helpful if your suggested improvements will be implemented...
in both
- the FAQ
- the Freeware Abstract, very simple under ZIP (.ZIPEXE via UNZIPSFX.EXE)

Again
Thanks a lot
Andreas

[Steven Schweda]

I'm not an SFX expert, but there should be
a [.VMS]MAKESFX.COM in the UnZip source kit.

As I understand it, the procedure attaches
an UNZIPSFX executable to the beginning of a
normal Zip archive, and then uses "zip -A"
to adjust some byte offsets in the resulting
SFX archive (accounting for the new stuff at
the front of the file) to avoid a warning
message when the thing is run.

[Hoff]

I can and will deal with the FAQ. That change has been queued for the next edition.

The unzip Freeware abstract text update is up to whomever next submits unzip.

(I am not currently expecting to be involved with the preparation of any future OpenVMS Freeware distros, nor do I know of any channel or any HP contact to register and to suggest these sorts of corrections.)

[Andreas Vollmer]

To all - many thanks.

I will start now to the next adventure...
=> Creating a UNZIPSFX.EXE

Have a great time
Cheers
Andreas

[Steven Schweda]

> I will start now to the next adventure...
> => Creating a UNZIPSFX.EXE

It shouldn't be much of an adventure.
Normally, building from the source will make
the SFX executables.

A close look at the [.VMS]DESCRIP.MMS builder
might reveal the "noshare" target (or NOSHARE
MMS macro), use of which which might help to
avoid SHRIDMISMAT (or similar?) errors when
running the thing on a different (older) VMS
version. The .COM builders don't seem to
offer this option.

Although it's possible, I can't be sure that
I've ever tested this in any serious way, so
perhaps that could add some adventure.