You are viewing a plain text version of this content. The canonical link for it is here.
Posted to dev@netbeans.apache.org by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> on 2025/01/06 19:16:38 UTC

heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Hi,

many users report issues of not being able to uninstall/install NB on 
windows. There are some indications that this is caused by the windows 
update (to the 24H2 branch most likely), which is likely removing some 
files which the uninstaller relies on.

I have a vague idea what the cause is but I can't really test it since I 
can't update my win10 and 11 images to the affected branch inside vbox 
(I suppose sudden compatibility problems - who knows).

I believe that win cleans AppData/Local/Temp/nbi[long number] during 
upgrade. This is needed by the installer, if it is not found, it will 
reset Users/user/.nbi/registry.xml and won't be able to uninstall 
anything anymore.

This makes somewhat sense, since back when NBI was written (based on the 
threading code we removed last time I would estimate ~Java 1.3), 
in-place windows upgrades were not really on the radar, win 
installations rarely survived a full release anyway.

IMO: -> good time to stop releasing NBI based windows "convenience 
installers" since NBI is effectively unmaintained *

best regards,

michael


* 
https://github.com/apache/netbeans/issues?q=is%3Aopen+label%3Ainstaller+label%3Aos%3Awindows


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>.
On 07.01.25 20:57, Laszlo Kishalmi wrote:
>
> On 1/7/25 10:25, Neil C Smith wrote:
>> There are two things to consider. Firstly, we could, and actually in
>> my opinion should, drop all the convenience installers and just
>> provide the binary zip.  Installers that rely on system JDKs are
>> likely to become more problematic over time, given code signing,
>> sandboxing, permissions and other factors.  I think if people want to
>> use a JDK of choice they should use the binary zip.  That also means
>> potentially looking to improve the range and availability of community
>> installers, besides or instead of the ones I'm producing I hasten to
>> add!  That will involve continuing discussions somewhat independent of
>> the project itself.
>
> I agree on this one. Even if I considered having packages from the 
> single source of truth as value.
>
> Holding to that simply getting too much burden on maintenance on the 
> other hand could be restrictive also could be inconvenient for our 
> users as well.

+1 for concentrating on the netbeans.zip.

Seeing how much work it is, anything that reduces workload for the 
release manager gets a +1 by default from me. I think I also never 
installed NB outside of release testing and trying to fix NBI - I always 
preferred either self contained zips for tools or letting a package 
manager take care of it.

We should not release unmaintained software. NBI as operating under 
damage control for a while. We removed parts of it as last minute fix 
when it didn't build+run anymore on modern JDKs. Knowing the bad shape 
of the NBI code, the windows upgrade problems are something which won't 
be easy to workaround (even if someone is found who would want to work 
on it) - esp since a proper fix would have to repair the config for 
existing/broken installations.

best regards,

michael


>
> I would like to drop the Apache NetBeans Provided Snap packages as 
> well, move that to community. Apache restrictions, while being 
> reasonable, eventually hurt end-user experience.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>
>
>


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>.
On 3/25/25 21:52, Matthias Bläsing wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Am Dienstag, dem 25.03.2025 um 21:50 +0100 schrieb Michael Bien:
>> On 3/25/25 21:33, Matthias Bläsing wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Am Dienstag, dem 25.03.2025 um 19:44 +0000 schrieb Eirik Bakke:
>>>>> The quicker fix might just be to look at making the launcher JAVA_HOME aware, and show a better message about setting that?
>>>> Yes, that's also an improvement!
>>> as part of the agent idea to fix the clipboard problem, the launcher
>>> needs to be modified.
>> lets try to avoid this is possible. The agent itself needs to be able to turn itself off anyway. If we want to enable it in the zip and not only via specific installers, it should be possible to configure it with the launch config file in a platform independent manner without baking the flags it into the windows launcher binaries.
>>
>> the last win launcher release was motivated alone due to the need to remove a JVM option - lets not keep adding temporary options if avoidable.
> you have not seen what I implemented, so please hold back judgement.
>
> The agent does not need to disable itself. It just has to ensure, that
> it only modifies classes, it should touch.

of course, but this is not the issue here. Looking forward to take a look at the proposal.

-mbien


>
> Greetings
>
> Matthias
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>
>
>


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Matthias Bläsing <mb...@doppel-helix.eu.INVALID>.
Hi,

Am Dienstag, dem 25.03.2025 um 21:50 +0100 schrieb Michael Bien:
> On 3/25/25 21:33, Matthias Bläsing wrote:
> > Hi,
> > 
> > Am Dienstag, dem 25.03.2025 um 19:44 +0000 schrieb Eirik Bakke:
> > > > The quicker fix might just be to look at making the launcher JAVA_HOME aware, and show a better message about setting that?
> > > Yes, that's also an improvement!
> > as part of the agent idea to fix the clipboard problem, the launcher
> > needs to be modified.
> 
> lets try to avoid this is possible. The agent itself needs to be able to turn itself off anyway. If we want to enable it in the zip and not only via specific installers, it should be possible to configure it with the launch config file in a platform independent manner without baking the flags it into the windows launcher binaries.
> 
> the last win launcher release was motivated alone due to the need to remove a JVM option - lets not keep adding temporary options if avoidable.

you have not seen what I implemented, so please hold back judgement.

The agent does not need to disable itself. It just has to ensure, that
it only modifies classes, it should touch.

Greetings

Matthias

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>.
On 3/25/25 21:33, Matthias Bläsing wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Am Dienstag, dem 25.03.2025 um 19:44 +0000 schrieb Eirik Bakke:
>>> The quicker fix might just be to look at making the launcher JAVA_HOME aware, and show a better message about setting that?
>> Yes, that's also an improvement!
> as part of the agent idea to fix the clipboard problem, the launcher
> needs to be modified.

lets try to avoid this is possible. The agent itself needs to be able to turn itself off anyway. If we want to enable it in the zip and not only via specific installers, it should be possible to configure it with the launch config file in a platform independent manner without baking the flags it into the windows launcher binaries.

the last win launcher release was motivated alone due to the need to remove a JVM option - lets not keep adding temporary options if avoidable.

-mbien


>  I locally have a version, that:
>
> - scans registry (retain old behavior)
> - checks JAVA_HOME
> - checks PATH
>
> The latter two are added. Seems to work, give me a bit, I'll try to get
> it out in the next days.
>
> Greetings
>
> Matthias
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>
>
>


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Matthias Bläsing <mb...@doppel-helix.eu.INVALID>.
Hi,

Am Dienstag, dem 25.03.2025 um 19:44 +0000 schrieb Eirik Bakke:
> 
> > The quicker fix might just be to look at making the launcher JAVA_HOME aware, and show a better message about setting that?
> 
> Yes, that's also an improvement!

as part of the agent idea to fix the clipboard problem, the launcher
needs to be modified. I locally have a version, that:

- scans registry (retain old behavior)
- checks JAVA_HOME
- checks PATH

The latter two are added. Seems to work, give me a bit, I'll try to get
it out in the next days.

Greetings

Matthias

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
> Why would we have to preserve comments in an (almost certainly) non-existent file?  Note I mean <userdir>/etc/netbeans.conf and not the netbeans.conf in the installation.

Oh, I assumed ~/etc/netbeans.conf was some existing, frequently used way to override the NetBeans configuration. If not, never mind.

> Fine for Windows.  Surprised that's working for you to pass notarization on macOS.

Actually, I was wrong--the script there is in fact signed with codesign.

> The quicker fix might just be to look at making the launcher JAVA_HOME aware, and show a better message about setting that?

Yes, that's also an improvement!

-- Eirik

From: Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 1:27 PM
To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On Tue, 25 Mar 2025 at 16:50, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.inva>lid> wrote:
> Well, the obvious place to store it would be the <userdir>/etc/netbeans.conf although there's potentially a chicken and egg upgrade issue with doing that.

That sounds fine, too. Though netbeans.conf is traditionally modified the user, and never automatically. If the launcher is going to modify a setting, it might be best to have a separate file for that so that we don't have to worry about preserving comments etc. (And so the user doesn't have to wonder if a change was their own or made automatically.)

Why would we have to preserve comments in an (almost certainly)
non-existent file?  Note I mean <userdir>/etc/netbeans.conf and not
the netbeans.conf in the installation.

> But then we've also been making a move to get rid of native executables rather than add more, as they're a pain for releasing.

In my platform app I just treat the native executable as a pre-compiled asset that doesn't actually need to be re-built for each release.

Exactly as we are doing, just they need to be voted on and release
signed separately so they can be distributed for use in the build.

  I also intentionally do not sign it. (Rather, I sign the entire MSI installer on Windows and the entire application package on MacOS.)

Fine for Windows.  Surprised that's working for you to pass
notarization on macOS.

Yeah, my inclination would be to implement the same "browse for JDK on first start" enhancement in both the MacOS Swift launcher and the netbeans64.exe launcher on Windows. It's twice the work, but once it's done, it's done, and the launcher can be left alone again essentially forever.

The fundamental difference being that the Swift launcher is not in the
zip and the exe launcher is.  The Swift launcher is also much simpler
as it executes the existing shell script.  As for being left alone
again, we've had two updates to the Windows launcher in the last year
or so.  Although your proposal would potentially be a bigger change
than either of those.  The quicker fix might just be to look at making
the launcher JAVA_HOME aware, and show a better message about setting
that?

There was a brief discussion on Slack about a Java-based launcher that
could work either as a source file or compiled into a native image.  I
personally think that's an idea worth considering at least.  It would
improve our ability to enhance, maintain and adapt the launcher.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Tue, 25 Mar 2025 at 16:50, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.invalid> wrote:
> > Well, the obvious place to store it would be the <userdir>/etc/netbeans.conf although there's potentially a chicken and egg upgrade issue with doing that.
>
> That sounds fine, too. Though netbeans.conf is traditionally modified the user, and never automatically. If the launcher is going to modify a setting, it might be best to have a separate file for that so that we don't have to worry about preserving comments etc. (And so the user doesn't have to wonder if a change was their own or made automatically.)

Why would we have to preserve comments in an (almost certainly)
non-existent file?  Note I mean <userdir>/etc/netbeans.conf and not
the netbeans.conf in the installation.

> > But then we've also been making a move to get rid of native executables rather than add more, as they're a pain for releasing.
>
> In my platform app I just treat the native executable as a pre-compiled asset that doesn't actually need to be re-built for each release.

Exactly as we are doing, just they need to be voted on and release
signed separately so they can be distributed for use in the build.

>  I also intentionally do not sign it. (Rather, I sign the entire MSI installer on Windows and the entire application package on MacOS.)

Fine for Windows.  Surprised that's working for you to pass
notarization on macOS.

> Yeah, my inclination would be to implement the same "browse for JDK on first start" enhancement in both the MacOS Swift launcher and the netbeans64.exe launcher on Windows. It's twice the work, but once it's done, it's done, and the launcher can be left alone again essentially forever.

The fundamental difference being that the Swift launcher is not in the
zip and the exe launcher is.  The Swift launcher is also much simpler
as it executes the existing shell script.  As for being left alone
again, we've had two updates to the Windows launcher in the last year
or so.  Although your proposal would potentially be a bigger change
than either of those.  The quicker fix might just be to look at making
the launcher JAVA_HOME aware, and show a better message about setting
that?

There was a brief discussion on Slack about a Java-based launcher that
could work either as a source file or compiled into a native image.  I
personally think that's an idea worth considering at least.  It would
improve our ability to enhance, maintain and adapt the launcher.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
> Well, the obvious place to store it would be the <userdir>/etc/netbeans.conf although there's potentially a chicken and egg upgrade issue with doing that.

That sounds fine, too. Though netbeans.conf is traditionally modified the user, and never automatically. If the launcher is going to modify a setting, it might be best to have a separate file for that so that we don't have to worry about preserving comments etc. (And so the user doesn't have to wonder if a change was their own or made automatically.)

> But then we've also been making a move to get rid of native executables rather than add more, as they're a pain for releasing.

In my platform app I just treat the native executable as a pre-compiled asset that doesn't actually need to be re-built for each release. I also intentionally do not sign it. (Rather, I sign the entire MSI installer on Windows and the entire application package on MacOS.)

> NBPackage already builds a small Swift launcher on macOS. That might be extended to provide that functionality without impact on IDE builds on other platforms.

Yeah, my inclination would be to implement the same "browse for JDK on first start" enhancement in both the MacOS Swift launcher and the netbeans64.exe launcher on Windows. It's twice the work, but once it's done, it's done, and the launcher can be left alone again essentially forever.

-- Eirik

From: Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 8:19 AM
To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

I realized I didn't respond to this ...

On Fri, 21 Mar 2025 at 18:06, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.inva>lid> wrote:
> I don't think having a system installed IDE relying on any of these transient user space things makes sense

This is true--but perhaps it could be alleviated by having the installer install per-user rather than per-machine? This is what I did for my MSI installer, after a lot of research.
...
The great thing about this is that no administrator access is needed to install.

This is feasible, although at the moment would require using the
NBPackage facility to override default templates - in particular
https://github.com/apache/netbeans-nbpackage/blob/master/src/main/resources/org/apache/netbeans/nbpackage/innosetup/InnoSetup.iss.template

Adding settings for either
https://jrsoftware.org/ishelp/index.php?topic=setup_privilegesrequiredoverridesallowed
or https://jrsoftware.org/ishelp/index.php?topic=setup_privilegesrequired

It might be useful to add an option for that instead.  Would need
testing.  Some people do want admin installs though.

And if NetBeans is installed this way, then makes more sense to allow the user to browse to their own unzipped OpenJDK distro somewhere when they first run netbeans64.exe. If that folder later goes away, we can always prompt again.
..
I'd propose the same approach as for the Windows installer; have a small native executable that prompts for the location of the JDK. Then remember it for subsequent runs. The single piece of information about where the JDK is can be stored in the user's home directory, e.g. "~/.netbeans".

Well, the obvious place to store it would be the
<userdir>/etc/netbeans.conf although there's potentially a chicken and
egg upgrade issue with doing that.

Partly this comes down to enhancing all the launchers, which would
benefit the zip too.  But then we've also been making a move to get
rid of native executables rather than add more, as they're a pain for
releasing.  NBPackage already builds a small Swift launcher on macOS.
That might be extended to provide that functionality without impact on
IDE builds on other platforms.

That's mostly concentrating on the lesser point I was making, which
was more about the importance of the signed bundle being immutable,
self-contained, and with all the correct permissions.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
I realized I didn't respond to this ...

On Fri, 21 Mar 2025 at 18:06, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.invalid> wrote:
> > I don't think having a system installed IDE relying on any of these transient user space things makes sense
>
> This is true--but perhaps it could be alleviated by having the installer install per-user rather than per-machine? This is what I did for my MSI installer, after a lot of research.
...
> The great thing about this is that no administrator access is needed to install.

This is feasible, although at the moment would require using the
NBPackage facility to override default templates - in particular
https://github.com/apache/netbeans-nbpackage/blob/master/src/main/resources/org/apache/netbeans/nbpackage/innosetup/InnoSetup.iss.template

Adding settings for either
https://jrsoftware.org/ishelp/index.php?topic=setup_privilegesrequiredoverridesallowed
or https://jrsoftware.org/ishelp/index.php?topic=setup_privilegesrequired

It might be useful to add an option for that instead.  Would need
testing.  Some people do want admin installs though.

> And if NetBeans is installed this way, then makes more sense to allow the user to browse to their own unzipped OpenJDK distro somewhere when they first run netbeans64.exe. If that folder later goes away, we can always prompt again.
..
> I'd propose the same approach as for the Windows installer; have a small native executable that prompts for the location of the JDK. Then remember it for subsequent runs. The single piece of information about where the JDK is can be stored in the user's home directory, e.g. "~/.netbeans".

Well, the obvious place to store it would be the
<userdir>/etc/netbeans.conf although there's potentially a chicken and
egg upgrade issue with doing that.

Partly this comes down to enhancing all the launchers, which would
benefit the zip too.  But then we've also been making a move to get
rid of native executables rather than add more, as they're a pain for
releasing.  NBPackage already builds a small Swift launcher on macOS.
That might be extended to provide that functionality without impact on
IDE builds on other platforms.

That's mostly concentrating on the lesser point I was making, which
was more about the importance of the signed bundle being immutable,
self-contained, and with all the correct permissions.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
> Obviously a single, system installed JDK is less of a thing these days. I don't think you can get an installer for Eclipse or IntelliJ that doesn't bundle a runtime now.

I agree with this. Myself, I never "install" Java these days; I unzip it somewhere.

> I don't think having a system installed IDE relying on any of these transient user space things makes sense

This is true--but perhaps it could be alleviated by having the installer install per-user rather than per-machine? This is what I did for my MSI installer, after a lot of research.

It means that the IDE would end up in

C:\Users\myusername\AppData\Local\Programs\NetBeans

instead of in

C:\Program Files\NetBeans

The great thing about this is that no administrator access is needed to install. And if NetBeans is installed this way, then makes more sense to allow the user to browse to their own unzipped OpenJDK distro somewhere when they first run netbeans64.exe. If that folder later goes away, we can always prompt again. And inside the IDE, there's a lot more flexibility with respect to how to select JDK folders for actual builds (in Tools->Java Options).

> There is an additional factor with macOS which might eventually be seen elsewhere related to code signing, integrity and permissions. Never mind admin permissions, you can't even change the netbeans.conf on the macOS install without it being marked as broken.

I'd propose the same approach as for the Windows installer; have a small native executable that prompts for the location of the JDK. Then remember it for subsequent runs. The single piece of information about where the JDK is can be stored in the user's home directory, e.g. "~/.netbeans".

-- Eirik

From: Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025 at 11:59 AM
To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On Fri, 21 Mar 2025 at 15:03, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.inva>lid> wrote:
2) is unnecessary - we can already build a Windows installer using NBPackage - the only thing stopping us switching a long time ago is something like 1).

OK, very good. Is the thing it generates an InnoSetup EXE that does not by itself require Java?

Yes.  Everything that NBPackage generates uses native tools and does
not require Java at install time - InnoSetup exe, macOS pkg, Linux
deb, rpm, or appimage.

A JDK runtime is also optional in all the package types.  All the
other installers from ASF have been built with it for some time.  The
launcher issues on Windows are why we've stuck with NBI to date.  We
should fix them regardless because it would make the zip better.

There is a way to use the InnoSetup installer now by customizing the
shortcut to use netbeans --jdkhome "%JAVA_HOME%\"  It's a bit clunky,
and requires the extra backslash as I noted earlier on this thread
because Windows decided that mixing path separators and escape
characters makes sense! :-)

> installers without a runtime have other issues

Even if netbeans64.exe is updated to prompt for a JDK folder?

Obviously a single, system installed JDK is less of a thing these
days.  I don't think you can get an installer for Eclipse or IntelliJ
that doesn't bundle a runtime now.  I have a whole bunch of JDKs on my
machine, some installed, some downloaded manually, or by NetBeans, or
by Gradle.  I don't think having a system installed IDE relying on any
of these transient user space things makes sense, even if I regularly
test things using --jdkhome overrides.  The default works out of the
box, is a known entity, and is not affected by anything else.  Nor
does it affect anything else - the bundled JDK is an entirely private
part of the installed IDE (or RCP app).

There is an additional factor with macOS which might eventually be
seen elsewhere related to code signing, integrity and permissions.
Never mind admin permissions, you can't even change the netbeans.conf
on the macOS install without it being marked as broken.  NBPackage
re-signs any JDK inside the app bundle with the same signature and
hardened runtime permissions as the IDE.

Not sure I understand... why would users build themselves an installer?

It's an option.  In particular if you're a company, college, etc. with
a desire to bundle an alternative JDK to roll out.  I used to
regularly build myself a deb to install rather than the old Linux nbi!

One of the things I'm working on with the community installer
migration at the moment is a GitHub build workflow for all the
packages.  You could even fork that, change the JDK link, run it and
have your own installer in about 10min (unsigned obv unless set up!).

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Fri, 21 Mar 2025 at 15:03, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.invalid> wrote:
> 2) is unnecessary - we can already build a Windows installer using NBPackage - the only thing stopping us switching a long time ago is something like 1).
>
> OK, very good. Is the thing it generates an InnoSetup EXE that does not by itself require Java?

Yes.  Everything that NBPackage generates uses native tools and does
not require Java at install time - InnoSetup exe, macOS pkg, Linux
deb, rpm, or appimage.

A JDK runtime is also optional in all the package types.  All the
other installers from ASF have been built with it for some time.  The
launcher issues on Windows are why we've stuck with NBI to date.  We
should fix them regardless because it would make the zip better.

There is a way to use the InnoSetup installer now by customizing the
shortcut to use netbeans --jdkhome "%JAVA_HOME%\"  It's a bit clunky,
and requires the extra backslash as I noted earlier on this thread
because Windows decided that mixing path separators and escape
characters makes sense! :-)

> > installers without a runtime have other issues
>
> Even if netbeans64.exe is updated to prompt for a JDK folder?

Obviously a single, system installed JDK is less of a thing these
days.  I don't think you can get an installer for Eclipse or IntelliJ
that doesn't bundle a runtime now.  I have a whole bunch of JDKs on my
machine, some installed, some downloaded manually, or by NetBeans, or
by Gradle.  I don't think having a system installed IDE relying on any
of these transient user space things makes sense, even if I regularly
test things using --jdkhome overrides.  The default works out of the
box, is a known entity, and is not affected by anything else.  Nor
does it affect anything else - the bundled JDK is an entirely private
part of the installed IDE (or RCP app).

There is an additional factor with macOS which might eventually be
seen elsewhere related to code signing, integrity and permissions.
Never mind admin permissions, you can't even change the netbeans.conf
on the macOS install without it being marked as broken.  NBPackage
re-signs any JDK inside the app bundle with the same signature and
hardened runtime permissions as the IDE.

> Not sure I understand... why would users build themselves an installer?

It's an option.  In particular if you're a company, college, etc. with
a desire to bundle an alternative JDK to roll out.  I used to
regularly build myself a deb to install rather than the old Linux nbi!

One of the things I'm working on with the community installer
migration at the moment is a GitHub build workflow for all the
packages.  You could even fork that, change the JDK link, run it and
have your own installer in about 10min (unsigned obv unless set up!).

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
1) would be great, as long as it works for the platform too, and would be a major benefit to the zip as well.  You might not be the only person looking at launcher code right now, so some coordination of approach might be good.

Noted! I'll stay away from that piece of code for now, and follow the discussion on the mailing list.

2) is unnecessary - we can already build a Windows installer using NBPackage - the only thing stopping us switching a long time ago is something like 1).

OK, very good. Is the thing it generates an InnoSetup EXE that does not by itself require Java?

> Personally, I'm still in favour of dropping installers here, because of the overhead

Are you referring to the work added to the release process itself? Totally understand... and by the way, I'm extremely grateful for the recurring volunteer work you and others have done for that part of the project.

> installers without a runtime have other issues

Even if netbeans64.exe is updated to prompt for a JDK folder?

> I remain of the view that if you want choice of runtime, you use the zip or use the tools we already provide to build yourself a bespoke installer.

Not sure I understand... why would users build themselves an installer?

-- Eirik

From: Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
To: Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com>
Cc: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On Fri, 21 Mar 2025 at 14:02, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com>> wrote:
Here's one idea for how to make an "official" Windows installer, i.e. an installer that is distributed as a convenience binary, officially from Apache NetBeans:

1) Improve the netbeans64.exe launcher so that when it starts and doesn't find the JDK, it prompts the user to select one with a file browser, and remembers the selection for the next time.

2) Package this into an MSI installer using the scripts at https://github.com/eirikbakke/netbeans-msi-example , with only minimal changes to fit into the existing GitHub Actions scripts on the main NetBeans repo.

Thoughts on this approach? (In case I decide to work on it.)

1) would be great, as long as it works for the platform too, and would
be a major benefit to the zip as well.  You might not be the only
person looking at launcher code right now, so some coordination of
approach might be good.

2) is unnecessary - we can already build a Windows installer using
NBPackage - the only thing stopping us switching a long time ago is
something like 1).

Personally, I'm still in favour of dropping installers here, because
of the overhead and because installers without a runtime have other
issues.  I remain of the view that if you want choice of runtime, you
use the zip or use the tools we already provide to build yourself a
bespoke installer.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Fri, 21 Mar 2025 at 14:02, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com> wrote:
> Here's one idea for how to make an "official" Windows installer, i.e. an installer that is distributed as a convenience binary, officially from Apache NetBeans:
>
> 1) Improve the netbeans64.exe launcher so that when it starts and doesn't find the JDK, it prompts the user to select one with a file browser, and remembers the selection for the next time.
>
> 2) Package this into an MSI installer using the scripts at https://github.com/eirikbakke/netbeans-msi-example , with only minimal changes to fit into the existing GitHub Actions scripts on the main NetBeans repo.
>
> Thoughts on this approach? (In case I decide to work on it.)

1) would be great, as long as it works for the platform too, and would
be a major benefit to the zip as well.  You might not be the only
person looking at launcher code right now, so some coordination of
approach might be good.

2) is unnecessary - we can already build a Windows installer using
NBPackage - the only thing stopping us switching a long time ago is
something like 1).

Personally, I'm still in favour of dropping installers here, because
of the overhead and because installers without a runtime have other
issues.  I remain of the view that if you want choice of runtime, you
use the zip or use the tools we already provide to build yourself a
bespoke installer.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
Here's one idea for how to make an "official" Windows installer, i.e. an installer that is distributed as a convenience binary, officially from Apache NetBeans:

1) Improve the netbeans64.exe launcher so that when it starts and doesn't find the JDK, it prompts the user to select one with a file browser, and remembers the selection for the next time.
2) Package this into an MSI installer using the scripts at https://github.com/eirikbakke/netbeans-msi-example , with only minimal changes to fit into the existing GitHub Actions scripts on the main NetBeans repo.

Thoughts on this approach? (In case I decide to work on it.)

-- Eirik

From: Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 5:36 PM
To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>, Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On 3/18/25 11:50, Neil C Smith wrote:
We should have resolved the issue of a new home for the community
installers, which should lead to a viable alternative for NB26.

that would be great news for windows users i think!

-mbien


Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>.
On 3/18/25 11:50, Neil C Smith wrote:
> We should have resolved the issue of a new home for the community
> installers, which should lead to a viable alternative for NB26. 

that would be great news for windows users i think!

-mbien

>
> Best wishes,
>
> Neil
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>
>
>


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
Well, if the launcher can’t find the JDK, then explaining to the user exactly how to fix the problem will still go a long way.

“Signage” like this has a huge effect on conversion funnels.

-- Eirik

From: Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 12:47 PM
To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On Tue, 18 Mar 2025 at 16:33, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.inva>lid> wrote:
For example, the netbeans64.exe launcher currently displays just an angry error icon with the message “Cannot find Java 1.8 or higher”. If we make this dialog into actual instructions for downloading Java, perhaps the entire problem is solved?

That's not the problem.  See eg.
https://github.com/apache/netbeans/issues/8336  It doesn't matter if
you download a JDK, the launcher probably won't find it.  There is a
legacy (and optional) reg key that might get it to work.  Otherwise
you have to do
what NBI does, and hardcode jdkhome in the conf.  Or hardcode it in a
shortcut.

There's some work needed on the IDE and platform launchers to get it
to do a better search.  And decide what the search priority should be
too I guess, as I'd put JAVA_HOME ahead of the legacy key for a start.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Tue, 18 Mar 2025 at 16:33, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.invalid> wrote:
> For example, the netbeans64.exe launcher currently displays just an angry error icon with the message “Cannot find Java 1.8 or higher”. If we make this dialog into actual instructions for downloading Java, perhaps the entire problem is solved?

That's not the problem.  See eg.
https://github.com/apache/netbeans/issues/8336  It doesn't matter if
you download a JDK, the launcher probably won't find it.  There is a
legacy (and optional) reg key that might get it to work.  Otherwise
you have to do
what NBI does, and hardcode jdkhome in the conf.  Or hardcode it in a
shortcut.

There's some work needed on the IDE and platform launchers to get it
to do a better search.  And decide what the search priority should be
too I guess, as I'd put JAVA_HOME ahead of the legacy key for a start.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
> Neither InnoSetup or WiX in themselves get us around the current problems with shipping a JDK-less installer

I wonder if the solution is simply to improve the message that is shown by the netbeans launcher when it cannot find Java.

For example, the netbeans64.exe launcher currently displays just an angry error icon with the message “Cannot find Java 1.8 or higher”. If we make this dialog into actual instructions for downloading Java, perhaps the entire problem is solved?

It requires really minimal implementation… just use the “Information” icon instead of the “Error” icon in the dialog, and change the user interface string.

-- Eirik

From: Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 6:54 AM
To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On Mon, 17 Mar 2025 at 20:35, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.inva>lid> wrote:

Here’s a NetBeans-ified version of my MSI installer building scripts, with a README:

https://github.com/eirikbakke/netbeans-msi-example/

>  It would help to see usage with a NetBeans structured application.

The buildmsi_ci.bat script just assumes you set a PAYLOAD_DIR that contains bin/netbeans64.exe at a minimum. If you have a NetBeans platform application you’d do some search-and-replace of “netbeans” with whatever the branding token of your application is.

Many thanks for sharing this.  Really useful!  I'll start taking a
look at adding support for WiX to NBPackage sometime after NB26.  I
may look at WiX 5+ though, as this looks like it might simplify the
templating requirements.  NBPackage will handle all the branding token
stuff automatically.

We should have resolved the issue of a new home for the community
installers, which should lead to a viable alternative for NB26.  That
would stick with InnoSetup for now, though, as that has been widely
tested already.

Neither InnoSetup or WiX in themselves get us around the current
problems with shipping a JDK-less installer, or we'd have ditched NBI
earlier.  Not that the way that NBI handles that is a good idea to
replicate!

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Mon, 17 Mar 2025 at 20:35, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.invalid> wrote:
>
> Here’s a NetBeans-ified version of my MSI installer building scripts, with a README:
>
> https://github.com/eirikbakke/netbeans-msi-example/
>
> >  It would help to see usage with a NetBeans structured application.
>
> The buildmsi_ci.bat script just assumes you set a PAYLOAD_DIR that contains bin/netbeans64.exe at a minimum. If you have a NetBeans platform application you’d do some search-and-replace of “netbeans” with whatever the branding token of your application is.

Many thanks for sharing this.  Really useful!  I'll start taking a
look at adding support for WiX to NBPackage sometime after NB26.  I
may look at WiX 5+ though, as this looks like it might simplify the
templating requirements.  NBPackage will handle all the branding token
stuff automatically.

We should have resolved the issue of a new home for the community
installers, which should lead to a viable alternative for NB26.  That
would stick with InnoSetup for now, though, as that has been widely
tested already.

Neither InnoSetup or WiX in themselves get us around the current
problems with shipping a JDK-less installer, or we'd have ditched NBI
earlier.  Not that the way that NBI handles that is a good idea to
replicate!

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
Here’s a NetBeans-ified version of my MSI installer building scripts, with a README:

https://github.com/eirikbakke/netbeans-msi-example/

>  It would help to see usage with a NetBeans structured application.

The buildmsi_ci.bat script just assumes you set a PAYLOAD_DIR that contains bin/netbeans64.exe at a minimum. If you have a NetBeans platform application you’d do some search-and-replace of “netbeans” with whatever the branding token of your application is.

> Good to know.  I was curious if the fact that the trusted signing certificate isn't extended validation caused any issues with defender.

No, no issues as far as I have seen. It seems Azure Trusted Signing is meant to be the way to avoid these Windows Defender warnings.

-- Eirik

From: Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Monday, March 17, 2025 at 10:07 AM
To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Hi,

On Sat, 15 Mar 2025 at 03:03, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.inva>lid> wrote:
I need to stick with the build pipeline I already have (it was a big project that I was glad to be done with…), but I can share my WiX scripts if it’s helpful.

Sure, understood.  It would be useful to see the WiX scripts if you're
happy to share.  It would help to see usage with a NetBeans structured
application.  And it would be good to ensure that even if you don't
migrate, NBPackage could cover all the options you require.

Azure Trusted Signing works great! It successfully prevented the Windows Defender warning from appearing, just like the Sectigo Extended Validation physical USB token I used before.

Good to know.  I was curious if the fact that the trusted signing
certificate isn't extended validation caused any issues with defender.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
Hi,

On Sat, 15 Mar 2025 at 03:03, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.invalid> wrote:
> I need to stick with the build pipeline I already have (it was a big project that I was glad to be done with…), but I can share my WiX scripts if it’s helpful.

Sure, understood.  It would be useful to see the WiX scripts if you're
happy to share.  It would help to see usage with a NetBeans structured
application.  And it would be good to ensure that even if you don't
migrate, NBPackage could cover all the options you require.

> Azure Trusted Signing works great! It successfully prevented the Windows Defender warning from appearing, just like the Sectigo Extended Validation physical USB token I used before.

Good to know.  I was curious if the fact that the trusted signing
certificate isn't extended validation caused any issues with defender.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Sat, 15 Mar 2025 at 03:03, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.invalid> wrote:
> > Exactly the switch we're looking at right now. Although I have some concerns about the difference in trust of the certificate. Are you using it now? How have you found it?
>
> Azure Trusted Signing works great! It successfully prevented the Windows Defender warning from appearing, just like the Sectigo Extended Validation physical USB token I used before. I just talked to someone else who has also recently switched from physical USB tokens to Azure Trusted Signing. It seems like it’s the way forward for signing on Windows.
>
> I followed the instructions on https://melatonin.dev/blog/code-signing-on-windows-with-azure-trusted-signing/ and then used the https://github.com/Azure/trusted-signing-action from a GitHub Actions script.

Well, looks like we won't be making that switch for the community
installers for NetBeans 26, and will continue with the physical token
approach for now.

Microsoft recently restricted Trusted Signing back to companies in the
US and Canada only -
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft-security-blog/trusted-signing-public-preview-update/4399713

Hopefully that will be updated again soon as they move this out of
preview.  I wonder if the restrictions came back due to need to
address abuse - eg.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-trusted-signing-service-abused-to-code-sign-malware/

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
I need to stick with the build pipeline I already have (it was a big project that I was glad to be done with…), but I can share my WiX scripts if it’s helpful.

> And then there’s the signing, which used to involve a $600 physical USB token, but which can now be done on GitHub Actions using Azure Trusted Signing.

> Exactly the switch we're looking at right now. Although I have some concerns about the difference in trust of the certificate. Are you using it now? How have you found it?

Azure Trusted Signing works great! It successfully prevented the Windows Defender warning from appearing, just like the Sectigo Extended Validation physical USB token I used before. I just talked to someone else who has also recently switched from physical USB tokens to Azure Trusted Signing. It seems like it’s the way forward for signing on Windows.

I followed the instructions on https://melatonin.dev/blog/code-signing-on-windows-with-azure-trusted-signing/ and then used the https://github.com/Azure/trusted-signing-action from a GitHub Actions script.

-- Eirik

From: Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Friday, March 14, 2025 at 4:48 PM
To: dev <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On Fri, 14 Mar 2025, 20:13 Eirik Bakke, <eb...@ultorg.com.inva>lid> wrote:

I only know how to generate MSI files with the WiX toolset (
https://www.firegiant.com/wixtoolset/), which must run on Windows.


Yes, this is exactly what we want. NBPackage is designed to run with
platform-specific tools, just like JPackage.

The NBPackage tool builds an image of all files and configuration, then
executes the native build tool.

I was planning on looking at WiX sometimes soonish, but if anyone else
wants to get there first that'd be great!

And then there’s the signing, which used to involve a $600 physical USB
token, but which can now be done on GitHub Actions using Azure Trusted
Signing. I don’t think the dependencies on these Microsoft-centric tools
can be avoided.


Exactly the switch we're looking at right now. Although I have some
concerns about the difference in trust of the certificate. Are you using it
now? How have you found it?

Signing can be done cross platform with JSign afaik mind you.

Best wishes,

Neil


Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Fri, 14 Mar 2025, 20:13 Eirik Bakke, <eb...@ultorg.com.invalid> wrote:

> I only know how to generate MSI files with the WiX toolset (
> https://www.firegiant.com/wixtoolset/), which must run on Windows.


Yes, this is exactly what we want. NBPackage is designed to run with
platform-specific tools, just like JPackage.

The NBPackage tool builds an image of all files and configuration, then
executes the native build tool.

I was planning on looking at WiX sometimes soonish, but if anyone else
wants to get there first that'd be great!

And then there’s the signing, which used to involve a $600 physical USB
> token, but which can now be done on GitHub Actions using Azure Trusted
> Signing. I don’t think the dependencies on these Microsoft-centric tools
> can be avoided.
>

Exactly the switch we're looking at right now. Although I have some
concerns about the difference in trust of the certificate. Are you using it
now? How have you found it?

Signing can be done cross platform with JSign afaik mind you.

Best wishes,

Neil

Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
I only know how to generate MSI files with the WiX toolset (https://www.firegiant.com/wixtoolset/), which must run on Windows (according to its founder). And then there’s the signing, which used to involve a $600 physical USB token, but which can now be done on GitHub Actions using Azure Trusted Signing. I don’t think the dependencies on these Microsoft-centric tools can be avoided.

> This is also what the community installers do.  It's not possible to distribute a JDK from ASF because of the OpenJDK license.

Yeah, I suspected. MSI might not be the best option in this case. The other installer tools are probably easier to customize e.g. if e.g. someone wanted to streamline the process of helping the user pick a JDK.

-- Eirik

From: Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Friday, March 14, 2025 at 2:14 PM
To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On Fri, 14 Mar 2025 at 18:02, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.inva>lid> wrote:
My NetBeans Platform app uses an MSI installer on Windows, built and signed with GitHub actions scripts that I could share, if this would be an alternative for NetBeans.

I'd be more interested in seeing a contribution to NBPackage that
could build an MSI!  Is that something you'd be interested in working
on?

NBPackage currently has an InnoSetup installer backend.

In my case the app redistributes a Zulu build of OpenJDK. Was this ever found to be a possibility for official Apache releases of NetBeans, or is it still always necessary for users to download the JDK on their own?

This is also what the community installers do.  It's not possible to
distribute a JDK from ASF because of the OpenJDK license.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Fri, 14 Mar 2025 at 18:02, Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.invalid> wrote:
> My NetBeans Platform app uses an MSI installer on Windows, built and signed with GitHub actions scripts that I could share, if this would be an alternative for NetBeans.

I'd be more interested in seeing a contribution to NBPackage that
could build an MSI!  Is that something you'd be interested in working
on?

NBPackage currently has an InnoSetup installer backend.

> In my case the app redistributes a Zulu build of OpenJDK. Was this ever found to be a possibility for official Apache releases of NetBeans, or is it still always necessary for users to download the JDK on their own?

This is also what the community installers do.  It's not possible to
distribute a JDK from ASF because of the OpenJDK license.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eirik Bakke <eb...@ultorg.com.INVALID>.
My NetBeans Platform app uses an MSI installer on Windows, built and signed with GitHub actions scripts that I could share, if this would be an alternative for NetBeans.

If anyone on Windows wants to test that installation experience and evaluate it for NetBeans, the installer is here: https://www.ultorg.com/download/
(Behind a “start trial” account creation flow, sorry…)

In my case the app redistributes a Zulu build of OpenJDK. Was this ever found to be a possibility for official Apache releases of NetBeans, or is it still always necessary for users to download the JDK on their own?

-- Eirik

From: Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>
Date: Friday, February 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM
To: "dev@netbeans.apache.org" <de...@netbeans.apache.org>, Eric Barboni <sk...@apache.org>
Subject: Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On 28.02.25 16:53, Eric Barboni wrote:
Thanks for the triage of issue.
  I'm not sure windows user got easy to powershell to manage their packet. What I see on others IDE it's MSSTORE stuff or msi/exe.

https://winstall.app/apps/Apache.NetBeans

sounds like easy enough to do, no?

as double click solution we could offer a .bat file ;)

-mbien



---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org<ma...@netbeans.apache.org>

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>.
On 28.02.25 16:53, Eric Barboni wrote:
> Thanks for the triage of issue.
>  I'm not sure windows user got easy to powershell to manage their packet. What I see on others IDE it's MSSTORE stuff or msi/exe. 

https://winstall.app/apps/Apache.NetBeans

sounds like easy enough to do, no?

as double click solution we could offer a .bat file ;)

-mbien



---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




RE: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eric Barboni <sk...@apache.org>.
Thanks for the triage of issue.
 I'm not sure windows user got easy to powershell to manage their packet. What I see on others IDE it's MSSTORE stuff or msi/exe. 

Two option for nbi removal from jenkins build
No more installer:
https://github.com/apache/netbeans-jenkins-lib/pull/118

Only the linux nbpackaged one
https://github.com/apache/netbeans-jenkins-lib/pull/117

---
To me we need to remove (or move to another repo for reference) nbi folder and module from code base so we do not release it anymore. If it's only deprecated will still land in the zip and be used for build mess.
We have contrib/rust/cpp folders in the code base

Just for having the scope of what needs to me cleanup (clusters codebase wide, not infra): (draft PR for nbi removal https://github.com/apache/netbeans/pull/8283  )
Remove to harness module related to nbi + apisupport installer + adjust apisupport.kit and we have a first step.

--
Nbm installer target could use nbpacker as "harness" to kind of mitigate the transition for some cases.

Wizard should also be updated to alter deployment  profile in mavenized project.

Best Regards
Eric


-----Message d'origine-----
De : Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org> 
Envoyé : vendredi 28 février 2025 11:12
À : dev@netbeans.apache.org
Objet : Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On Fri, 28 Feb 2025 at 09:11, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 27.02.25 11:49, Neil C Smith wrote:
> > Personally, I have doubts that a .pkg without JDK is the right
> > approach anyway.  It is better IMO that a .pkg contains a JDK that is
> > signed and notarized as one artefact.
>
> I don't mind either way. I think both approaches are fine, while the all-in-one bundle with latest JDK is certainly the most convenient option for users.

To be clear, that point has nothing to do with which approach either
of us thinks is fine or most convenient to users.  It's down to what
Apple will allow to run or pass notarization, and so actually be
usable by users.

The code is deep signed by NBPackage (including all the native libs,
even those in JARs) with the entitlements that the application
requires.  https://developer.apple.com/documentation/security/hardened-runtime
 Do anything not allowed by the permissions and the application is
forcefully terminated.

The default permission set for NBPackage does include
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/bundleresources/entitlements/com.apple.security.cs.disable-library-validation
 OK, for now, although with some caveats.

Bundling a JDK using NBPackage will re-sign the JDK with the same Team
ID and entitlements as the rest of the application.  That is still the
preferable situation IMO.

macOS isn't the only OS moving in this direction.  Personally I think
if you want to use a JDK of your choice, you use the zip and you link
it up yourself, if you want a package then it should be self
contained.

For me, that includes the DEB and RPM, because distro JDK packages can
sometimes be "interesting"!  Better than they were, mind you - I
remember an early distro OpenJDK that had multiple concurrent EDTs.
:-)

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Fri, 28 Feb 2025 at 09:11, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 27.02.25 11:49, Neil C Smith wrote:
> > Personally, I have doubts that a .pkg without JDK is the right
> > approach anyway.  It is better IMO that a .pkg contains a JDK that is
> > signed and notarized as one artefact.
>
> I don't mind either way. I think both approaches are fine, while the all-in-one bundle with latest JDK is certainly the most convenient option for users.

To be clear, that point has nothing to do with which approach either
of us thinks is fine or most convenient to users.  It's down to what
Apple will allow to run or pass notarization, and so actually be
usable by users.

The code is deep signed by NBPackage (including all the native libs,
even those in JARs) with the entitlements that the application
requires.  https://developer.apple.com/documentation/security/hardened-runtime
 Do anything not allowed by the permissions and the application is
forcefully terminated.

The default permission set for NBPackage does include
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/bundleresources/entitlements/com.apple.security.cs.disable-library-validation
 OK, for now, although with some caveats.

Bundling a JDK using NBPackage will re-sign the JDK with the same Team
ID and entitlements as the rest of the application.  That is still the
preferable situation IMO.

macOS isn't the only OS moving in this direction.  Personally I think
if you want to use a JDK of your choice, you use the zip and you link
it up yourself, if you want a package then it should be self
contained.

For me, that includes the DEB and RPM, because distro JDK packages can
sometimes be "interesting"!  Better than they were, mind you - I
remember an early distro OpenJDK that had multiple concurrent EDTs.
:-)

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>.
On 27.02.25 11:49, Neil C Smith wrote:
> Hi,
>
> On Thu, 27 Feb 2025 at 04:12, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I can't really help there much, but we have community packages linked which are able to reliably install NB+Runtime JDK on windows. So this is technically a solved problem (for now) IMO ... We cant rely on the existence of community packages since they may disappear.
> There will be no community installers from Codelerity after NetBeans
> 25.  There is some discussion ongoing about whether they move
> somewhere else.

understood. In case all efforts fail, it would be good to be able to point windows users to *something* on the download page.

E.g winget or something like that (assuming someone updates the previously mentioned package config in time).

>> mac:
>>
>>  - mac is covered by our .pkg artifact, right?
> We would need another PMC member to take this on.  This is partly
> related to the above, and partly that it happens that the certificate
> has now expired, which is the best time to pass this over.
>
> Personally, I have doubts that a .pkg without JDK is the right
> approach anyway.  It is better IMO that a .pkg contains a JDK that is
> signed and notarized as one artefact.

I don't mind either way. I think both approaches are fine, while the all-in-one bundle with latest JDK is certainly the most convenient option for users.


I think we should distinguish between installers and packages since there are different expectations of what they do.

Offering a rpm for example is fine IMO since it essentially is a fancy zip with metadata and a (minimum) JDK dependency. The JDK is directly pulled from the OS repo by the package manager.

NBI on the other hand is a program which would be the other end of the spectrum (and probably the worst case scenario since it itself needs a JDK to run).

A package which does not bundle or declare a JDK dependency is somewhere in the middle. Some mac users might still prefer that over the zip.

(I personally never used anything outside the cross platform zip, installers are just extra steps before i can run something)

organized the NBI issues in an aggregator issue so that they are easier to find:

https://github.com/apache/netbeans/issues/8281

best regards

michael




---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
Hi,

On Thu, 27 Feb 2025 at 04:12, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I can't really help there much, but we have community packages linked which are able to reliably install NB+Runtime JDK on windows. So this is technically a solved problem (for now) IMO ... We cant rely on the existence of community packages since they may disappear.

There will be no community installers from Codelerity after NetBeans
25.  There is some discussion ongoing about whether they move
somewhere else.

> We can't release a JDK bundle I believe. But as long PMCs (in the sense of community members we trust) provide those outside of apache - we can certainly continue linking to them as trusted downstream package offering below the main zip release artifact.

Well, we can't distribute anything that is GPL without CPE, which
takes HotSpot out of the equation.  That might be problematic! :-)

Incidentally, one reason NBPackage was written the way it is is so
that you can binary diff the installed files with the binary release
zip.  Of course, doesn't tell you whether the installer itself can be
trusted, only its output.

> mac:
>
>  - mac is covered by our .pkg artifact, right?

We would need another PMC member to take this on.  This is partly
related to the above, and partly that it happens that the certificate
has now expired, which is the best time to pass this over.

Personally, I have doubts that a .pkg without JDK is the right
approach anyway.  It is better IMO that a .pkg contains a JDK that is
signed and notarized as one artefact.

> >> On 26.02.25 16:28, Eric Barboni wrote:
> > Removing  nbi windows trying to get wine+iscc in the ci jenkins to align with the two others debian/rpm already package could be an option too.
> > Was looking for lightweight alternative with nsis as Apache Directory Studio had something working with that. Could be doable but macos still behind for that.

Even if we keep producing a macOS artefact, it will always have to be
built locally on a RM's machine.

I do not see the benefit to putting a lot of time into getting a
Windows installer to build on Jenkins.  The RM already has to download
the installer to sign and test it on Windows.  The moment it's signed
you lose the ability to verify against the upstream file (unless we go
the detached signature for vote route).  Building the installer
locally is a 10min job on top (unlike the extended macOS process).

Getting the InnoSetup installer to "work" in the short term could be a
one line template override, as outlined above, to set --jdkhome to
%JAVA_HOME% in the shortcut.  It's not ideal - the real fix is to get
the Windows launchers working to find the JDK again.  That way the zip
and the platform is improved too!

> > We need also to tell/tools user of nbm-plugin / ant on how to migrate to nbpackage
>
> doc would be great yeah ;)

Extra documentation is always good, but it's not like there's none! ;-)

Build zip, follow
https://github.com/apache/netbeans-nbpackage/blob/master/README.md

Should we enhance the IDE or plugins with ability to run NBPackage?
It's doable, but there is also a fundamental shift in that it's OS
specific.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>.
Hi Eric,

On 26.02.25 16:28, Eric Barboni wrote:
> Hi
>  jumping late in the discussion but we need to take some action before next release I think.

yep!

I am not on windows. But if we still have committers which use it periodically (and have time to spare), we could take a look at some downstream packages, e.g

https://github.com/microsoft/winget-pkgs/tree/master/manifests/a/Apache/NetBeans

and check if it can be changed to install the zip (https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli/issues/140).

since it links right now to an artifact which doesn't even exist:
https://github.com/microsoft/winget-pkgs/blob/master/manifests/a/Apache/NetBeans/24/Apache.NetBeans.installer.yaml

(so my guess is that it won't install)

There is also no package for NB 25 yet so it would be a good opportunity to get a PR in.

(I never used winget for anything but wiki says it works on both win 10 and 11)


for linux committers with spare time:

 - https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/netbeans/ would need to be updated since it ships NB22

 - https://wiki.debian.org/Netbeans debian recommends our deb package - so nothing we have to do outside of keep releasing it

 - fedora has NB 25 in their flathub - nothing to do there (+ we also offer the rpm)

deb+rpm+arch covers probably 95% of the linux world so we are good.


mac:

 - mac is covered by our .pkg artifact, right?


>
> Removing  nbi windows trying to get wine+iscc in the ci jenkins to align with the two others debian/rpm already package could be an option too. 
> Was looking for lightweight alternative with nsis as Apache Directory Studio had something working with that. Could be doable but macos still behind for that.
>
>
> But but, we will still ship nbbuild within the source, so why no using it anyway, we sign that :D ?

I can't really help there much, but we have community packages linked which are able to reliably install NB+Runtime JDK on windows. So this is technically a solved problem (for now) IMO. 

We can't release a JDK bundle I believe. But as long PMCs (in the sense of community members we trust) provide those outside of apache - we can certainly continue linking to them as trusted downstream package offering below the main zip release artifact.

We cant rely on the existence of community packages since they may disappear. If there is nothing else we can recommend we always have the zip.


>
>
> I think we need to "prune" and remove usage along code base to align with unmaintained code statement of Michael.
>
> This removal will reduce harness artefacts possibility in it.
>
> This will lead to mavenutilities task for building installer not working.
> https://github.com/apache/netbeans-mavenutils-nbm-maven-plugin/blob/master/nbm-maven-plugin/src/main/java/org/apache/netbeans/nbm/BuildInstallersMojo.java
>
> We will need removal for that part
> https://github.com/apache/netbeans-jenkins-lib/tree/master/resources/org/apache/netbeans

is this a general cleanup task or has this to be done before release? But sure lets deprecate the installer mojo (+webstart btw).


> We need also to tell/tools user of nbm-plugin / ant on how to migrate to nbpackage

doc would be great yeah ;)


best regards,

michael


>
> Eric
>
> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org> 
> Envoyé : mardi 4 février 2025 18:14
> À : dev@netbeans.apache.org
> Objet : Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues
>
> On Tue, 4 Feb 2025 at 16:21, Laszlo Kishalmi <la...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On 2/4/25 02:54, Jerome Lelasseux wrote:
>>> My 2 cents: is it possible to do an online poll with NB users ?
>> Well, not really and the fate of the convenience installers shall be
>> decided here by this community.
>>
>> Users can wish for anything, the effort we feel we are willing to put
>> into some features is something else.
> Agreed!  And we do also have access to eg. download information via
> https://infra-reports.apache.org/ that is probably more useful data if
> we do want to prioritize.
>
> Neil
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>
>
>


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




RE: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Eric Barboni <sk...@apache.org>.
Hi
 jumping late in the discussion but we need to take some action before next release I think.

Removing  nbi windows trying to get wine+iscc in the ci jenkins to align with the two others debian/rpm already package could be an option too. 
Was looking for lightweight alternative with nsis as Apache Directory Studio had something working with that. Could be doable but macos still behind for that.


But but, we will still ship nbbuild within the source, so why no using it anyway, we sign that :D ?


I think we need to "prune" and remove usage along code base to align with unmaintained code statement of Michael.

This removal will reduce harness artefacts possibility in it.

This will lead to mavenutilities task for building installer not working.
https://github.com/apache/netbeans-mavenutils-nbm-maven-plugin/blob/master/nbm-maven-plugin/src/main/java/org/apache/netbeans/nbm/BuildInstallersMojo.java

We will need removal for that part
https://github.com/apache/netbeans-jenkins-lib/tree/master/resources/org/apache/netbeans


We need also to tell/tools user of nbm-plugin / ant on how to migrate to nbpackage

Eric

-----Message d'origine-----
De : Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org> 
Envoyé : mardi 4 février 2025 18:14
À : dev@netbeans.apache.org
Objet : Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

On Tue, 4 Feb 2025 at 16:21, Laszlo Kishalmi <la...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 2/4/25 02:54, Jerome Lelasseux wrote:
> > My 2 cents: is it possible to do an online poll with NB users ?
>
> Well, not really and the fate of the convenience installers shall be
> decided here by this community.
>
> Users can wish for anything, the effort we feel we are willing to put
> into some features is something else.

Agreed!  And we do also have access to eg. download information via
https://infra-reports.apache.org/ that is probably more useful data if
we do want to prioritize.

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists





---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Tue, 4 Feb 2025 at 16:21, Laszlo Kishalmi <la...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 2/4/25 02:54, Jerome Lelasseux wrote:
> > My 2 cents: is it possible to do an online poll with NB users ?
>
> Well, not really and the fate of the convenience installers shall be
> decided here by this community.
>
> Users can wish for anything, the effort we feel we are willing to put
> into some features is something else.

Agreed!  And we do also have access to eg. download information via
https://infra-reports.apache.org/ that is probably more useful data if
we do want to prioritize.

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Laszlo Kishalmi <la...@gmail.com>.
On 2/4/25 02:54, Jerome Lelasseux wrote:
> My 2 cents: is it possible to do an online poll with NB users ?

Well, not really and the fate of the convenience installers shall be 
decided here by this community.

Users can wish for anything, the effort we feel we are willing to put 
into some features is something else.


>
>
> Envoyé depuis Yahoo Mail pour iPhone
>
>
> Le mardi, février 4, 2025, 11:35 AM, Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org> a écrit :
>
> Hi,
>
> On Mon, 3 Feb 2025 at 13:55, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> What shall we do for NB 25 which is currently baking?
> ...
>> option 1:
>>    - drop NBI windows
>>    - add a link down to the community installers for windows users
>>    - keep all other installers for now
> I've been thinking about this since yesterday, and for a variety of
> reasons that I'm not going into all of right now, I'm taking option 1
> as stated off the table.
>
> Which leaves dropping Windows installers completely for NB 25, which I
> don't think is desirable at all.
>
>> option 2:
>>    - release everything again for one more release
> Personally I think at this late stage we should do option 2, with the
> community installers remaining as the alternative option.
>
>> option 3:
>>    - drop everything except the zip
> I think that's a desirable and feasible aim for NB 26, assuming
> progress on installer alternatives outside of ASF continues to be made
> in time to replace them.
>
> I think installers from somewhere are a must have!
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Neil
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re : Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Jerome Lelasseux <le...@yahoo.com.INVALID>.
My 2 cents: is it possible to do an online poll with NB users ?


Envoyé depuis Yahoo Mail pour iPhone


Le mardi, février 4, 2025, 11:35 AM, Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org> a écrit :

Hi,

On Mon, 3 Feb 2025 at 13:55, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> What shall we do for NB 25 which is currently baking?
...
>
> option 1:
>  - drop NBI windows
>  - add a link down to the community installers for windows users
>  - keep all other installers for now

I've been thinking about this since yesterday, and for a variety of
reasons that I'm not going into all of right now, I'm taking option 1
as stated off the table.

Which leaves dropping Windows installers completely for NB 25, which I
don't think is desirable at all.

> option 2:
>  - release everything again for one more release

Personally I think at this late stage we should do option 2, with the
community installers remaining as the alternative option.

> option 3:
>  - drop everything except the zip

I think that's a desirable and feasible aim for NB 26, assuming
progress on installer alternatives outside of ASF continues to be made
in time to replace them.

I think installers from somewhere are a must have!

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists







Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>.
On 04.02.25 11:33, Neil C Smith wrote:
> Hi,
>
> On Mon, 3 Feb 2025 at 13:55, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> What shall we do for NB 25 which is currently baking?
> ...
>> option 1:
>>    - drop NBI windows
>>    - add a link down to the community installers for windows users
>>    - keep all other installers for now
> I've been thinking about this since yesterday, and for a variety of
> reasons that I'm not going into all of right now, I'm taking option 1
> as stated off the table.
>
> Which leaves dropping Windows installers completely for NB 25, which I
> don't think is desirable at all.
>
>> option 2:
>>    - release everything again for one more release
> Personally I think at this late stage we should do option 2, with the
> community installers remaining as the alternative option.

I am not going to block this but will refrain from any windows specific 
testing during vote etc. If the time of one more cycle helps to resolve 
the installer question - all good - better late than never :).

NBI is since 
https://lists.apache.org/thread/xh9r5kyt404qx0dtygnkytlrr7c9g0or on life 
support and no changes happened since #7542. I don't feel comfortable to 
release sw on that quality level -> so I will opt out from those parts.

best regards,

michael


>
>> option 3:
>>    - drop everything except the zip
> I think that's a desirable and feasible aim for NB 26, assuming
> progress on installer alternatives outside of ASF continues to be made
> in time to replace them.
>
> I think installers from somewhere are a must have!
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Neil
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>
>
>


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
Hi,

On Mon, 3 Feb 2025 at 13:55, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> What shall we do for NB 25 which is currently baking?
...
>
> option 1:
>   - drop NBI windows
>   - add a link down to the community installers for windows users
>   - keep all other installers for now

I've been thinking about this since yesterday, and for a variety of
reasons that I'm not going into all of right now, I'm taking option 1
as stated off the table.

Which leaves dropping Windows installers completely for NB 25, which I
don't think is desirable at all.

> option 2:
>   - release everything again for one more release

Personally I think at this late stage we should do option 2, with the
community installers remaining as the alternative option.

> option 3:
>   - drop everything except the zip

I think that's a desirable and feasible aim for NB 26, assuming
progress on installer alternatives outside of ASF continues to be made
in time to replace them.

I think installers from somewhere are a must have!

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Mon, 3 Feb 2025, 21:34 Scott Palmer, <sw...@gmail.com> wrote:

> IMO any installer/launcher should be made with the standard jpackage tool.
> So that would be my suggestion for a long term plan. Short term zip works
> but isn’t enough for a professional software product.
>

JPackage does not really work for NetBeans for a variety of reasons. We
have NBPackage, which works on similar principles but allied to the needs
of the IDE and platform.

It's used for all the existing ASF and community installers, bar the ASF
Windows one.

Best wishes,

Neil

Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Scott Palmer <sw...@gmail.com>.
IMO any installer/launcher should be made with the standard jpackage tool. So that would be my suggestion for a long term plan. Short term zip works but isn’t enough for a professional software product. 

Scott

> On Feb 3, 2025, at 1:46 PM, Laszlo Kishalmi <la...@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Well, I'm on Option 1 for the upcoming NB25 and option 3 on longer run.
> 
> The way moving forward would probably worth a vote thread or at least a call for lazy consensus.
> 
>> On 2/3/25 07:53, Michael Bien wrote:
>> I like Option 1 too
>> 
>> (forgot to mention my preference)
>> 
>> best regards,
>> 
>> michael
>> 
>> 
>>> On 03.02.25 16:41, Martin Balín wrote:
>>> I would go with Option 1 - drop NBI windows, for NetBeans 25
>>> The reason: don’t block current release. After the release evaluate if NetBeans should provide other installers as well. Mean discuss if Option3 would not be too disruptive.
>>> Martin
>>> 
>>>> On 3. 2. 2025, at 14:46, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> What shall we do for NB 25 which is currently baking?
>>>> 
>>>> situation: unchanged
>>>> 
>>>> Should we drop NBI or do another release? The mentioned issues did not progress. Users will likely have difficulties to uninstall NB 23/24 on windows. Those affected by it might also not be able to install NB 25 due to broken installer configuration.
>>>> 
>>>> I used to test on win10/11 during vote but won't do that anymore since I can't update the windows image to the latest version inside virtualbox - I can't reproduce any of this anyway so its mostly wasted time at this point I think.
>>>> 
>>>> option 1:
>>>>   - drop NBI windows
>>>>   - add a link down to the community installers for windows users
>>>>   - keep all other installers for now
>>>> 
>>>> option 2:
>>>>   - release everything again for one more release
>>>> 
>>>> option 3:
>>>>   - drop everything except the zip
>>>> 
>>>> option 4: ?
>>>> 
>>>> best regards,
>>>> 
>>>> michael

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Laszlo Kishalmi <la...@gmail.com>.
Well, I'm on Option 1 for the upcoming NB25 and option 3 on longer run.

The way moving forward would probably worth a vote thread or at least a 
call for lazy consensus.

On 2/3/25 07:53, Michael Bien wrote:
> I like Option 1 too
>
> (forgot to mention my preference)
>
> best regards,
>
> michael
>
>
> On 03.02.25 16:41, Martin Balín wrote:
>> I would go with Option 1 - drop NBI windows, for NetBeans 25
>> The reason: don’t block current release. After the release evaluate 
>> if NetBeans should provide other installers as well. Mean discuss if 
>> Option3 would not be too disruptive.
>> Martin
>>
>>> On 3. 2. 2025, at 14:46, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> What shall we do for NB 25 which is currently baking?
>>>
>>> situation: unchanged
>>>
>>> Should we drop NBI or do another release? The mentioned issues did 
>>> not progress. Users will likely have difficulties to uninstall NB 
>>> 23/24 on windows. Those affected by it might also not be able to 
>>> install NB 25 due to broken installer configuration.
>>>
>>> I used to test on win10/11 during vote but won't do that anymore 
>>> since I can't update the windows image to the latest version inside 
>>> virtualbox - I can't reproduce any of this anyway so its mostly 
>>> wasted time at this point I think.
>>>
>>> option 1:
>>>   - drop NBI windows
>>>   - add a link down to the community installers for windows users
>>>   - keep all other installers for now
>>>
>>> option 2:
>>>   - release everything again for one more release
>>>
>>> option 3:
>>>   - drop everything except the zip
>>>
>>> option 4: ?
>>>
>>> best regards,
>>>
>>> michael
>>>
>>>
>>> On 07.01.25 20:57, Laszlo Kishalmi wrote:
>>>> On 1/7/25 10:25, Neil C Smith wrote:
>>>>> There are two things to consider. Firstly, we could, and actually in
>>>>> my opinion should, drop all the convenience installers and just
>>>>> provide the binary zip.  Installers that rely on system JDKs are
>>>>> likely to become more problematic over time, given code signing,
>>>>> sandboxing, permissions and other factors.  I think if people want to
>>>>> use a JDK of choice they should use the binary zip.  That also means
>>>>> potentially looking to improve the range and availability of 
>>>>> community
>>>>> installers, besides or instead of the ones I'm producing I hasten to
>>>>> add!  That will involve continuing discussions somewhat 
>>>>> independent of
>>>>> the project itself.
>>>> I agree on this one. Even if I considered having packages from the 
>>>> single source of truth as value.
>>>>
>>>> Holding to that simply getting too much burden on maintenance on 
>>>> the other hand could be restrictive also could be inconvenient for 
>>>> our users as well.
>>>>
>>>> I would like to drop the Apache NetBeans Provided Snap packages as 
>>>> well, move that to community. Apache restrictions, while being 
>>>> reasonable, eventually hurt end-user experience.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
>>>> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>>>>
>>>> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
>>>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
>>> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>>>
>>> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
>>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
>> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>>
>> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>>
>>
>>
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>.
I like Option 1 too

(forgot to mention my preference)

best regards,

michael


On 03.02.25 16:41, Martin Balín wrote:
> I would go with Option 1 - drop NBI windows, for NetBeans 25
> The reason: don’t block current release. After the release evaluate if NetBeans should provide other installers as well. Mean discuss if Option3 would not be too disruptive.
> Martin
>
>> On 3. 2. 2025, at 14:46, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> What shall we do for NB 25 which is currently baking?
>>
>> situation: unchanged
>>
>> Should we drop NBI or do another release? The mentioned issues did not progress. Users will likely have difficulties to uninstall NB 23/24 on windows. Those affected by it might also not be able to install NB 25 due to broken installer configuration.
>>
>> I used to test on win10/11 during vote but won't do that anymore since I can't update the windows image to the latest version inside virtualbox - I can't reproduce any of this anyway so its mostly wasted time at this point I think.
>>
>> option 1:
>>   - drop NBI windows
>>   - add a link down to the community installers for windows users
>>   - keep all other installers for now
>>
>> option 2:
>>   - release everything again for one more release
>>
>> option 3:
>>   - drop everything except the zip
>>
>> option 4: ?
>>
>> best regards,
>>
>> michael
>>
>>
>> On 07.01.25 20:57, Laszlo Kishalmi wrote:
>>> On 1/7/25 10:25, Neil C Smith wrote:
>>>> There are two things to consider. Firstly, we could, and actually in
>>>> my opinion should, drop all the convenience installers and just
>>>> provide the binary zip.  Installers that rely on system JDKs are
>>>> likely to become more problematic over time, given code signing,
>>>> sandboxing, permissions and other factors.  I think if people want to
>>>> use a JDK of choice they should use the binary zip.  That also means
>>>> potentially looking to improve the range and availability of community
>>>> installers, besides or instead of the ones I'm producing I hasten to
>>>> add!  That will involve continuing discussions somewhat independent of
>>>> the project itself.
>>> I agree on this one. Even if I considered having packages from the single source of truth as value.
>>>
>>> Holding to that simply getting too much burden on maintenance on the other hand could be restrictive also could be inconvenient for our users as well.
>>>
>>> I would like to drop the Apache NetBeans Provided Snap packages as well, move that to community. Apache restrictions, while being reasonable, eventually hurt end-user experience.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
>>> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>>>
>>> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
>>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
>> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>>
>> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>>
>>
>>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>
>
>


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Martin Balín <ma...@windowslive.com>.
I would go with Option 1 - drop NBI windows, for NetBeans 25
The reason: don’t block current release. After the release evaluate if NetBeans should provide other installers as well. Mean discuss if Option3 would not be too disruptive.
Martin

> On 3. 2. 2025, at 14:46, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> What shall we do for NB 25 which is currently baking?
> 
> situation: unchanged
> 
> Should we drop NBI or do another release? The mentioned issues did not progress. Users will likely have difficulties to uninstall NB 23/24 on windows. Those affected by it might also not be able to install NB 25 due to broken installer configuration.
> 
> I used to test on win10/11 during vote but won't do that anymore since I can't update the windows image to the latest version inside virtualbox - I can't reproduce any of this anyway so its mostly wasted time at this point I think.
> 
> option 1:
>  - drop NBI windows
>  - add a link down to the community installers for windows users
>  - keep all other installers for now
> 
> option 2:
>  - release everything again for one more release
> 
> option 3:
>  - drop everything except the zip
> 
> option 4: ?
> 
> best regards,
> 
> michael
> 
> 
> On 07.01.25 20:57, Laszlo Kishalmi wrote:
>> 
>> On 1/7/25 10:25, Neil C Smith wrote:
>>> There are two things to consider. Firstly, we could, and actually in
>>> my opinion should, drop all the convenience installers and just
>>> provide the binary zip.  Installers that rely on system JDKs are
>>> likely to become more problematic over time, given code signing,
>>> sandboxing, permissions and other factors.  I think if people want to
>>> use a JDK of choice they should use the binary zip.  That also means
>>> potentially looking to improve the range and availability of community
>>> installers, besides or instead of the ones I'm producing I hasten to
>>> add!  That will involve continuing discussions somewhat independent of
>>> the project itself.
>> 
>> I agree on this one. Even if I considered having packages from the single source of truth as value.
>> 
>> Holding to that simply getting too much burden on maintenance on the other hand could be restrictive also could be inconvenient for our users as well.
>> 
>> I would like to drop the Apache NetBeans Provided Snap packages as well, move that to community. Apache restrictions, while being reasonable, eventually hurt end-user experience.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
>> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>> 
>> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
>> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
> 
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
> 
> 
> 


Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com>.
What shall we do for NB 25 which is currently baking?

situation: unchanged

Should we drop NBI or do another release? The mentioned issues did not 
progress. Users will likely have difficulties to uninstall NB 23/24 on 
windows. Those affected by it might also not be able to install NB 25 
due to broken installer configuration.

I used to test on win10/11 during vote but won't do that anymore since I 
can't update the windows image to the latest version inside virtualbox - 
I can't reproduce any of this anyway so its mostly wasted time at this 
point I think.

option 1:
  - drop NBI windows
  - add a link down to the community installers for windows users
  - keep all other installers for now

option 2:
  - release everything again for one more release

option 3:
  - drop everything except the zip

option 4: ?

best regards,

michael


On 07.01.25 20:57, Laszlo Kishalmi wrote:
>
> On 1/7/25 10:25, Neil C Smith wrote:
>> There are two things to consider. Firstly, we could, and actually in
>> my opinion should, drop all the convenience installers and just
>> provide the binary zip.  Installers that rely on system JDKs are
>> likely to become more problematic over time, given code signing,
>> sandboxing, permissions and other factors.  I think if people want to
>> use a JDK of choice they should use the binary zip.  That also means
>> potentially looking to improve the range and availability of community
>> installers, besides or instead of the ones I'm producing I hasten to
>> add!  That will involve continuing discussions somewhat independent of
>> the project itself.
>
> I agree on this one. Even if I considered having packages from the 
> single source of truth as value.
>
> Holding to that simply getting too much burden on maintenance on the 
> other hand could be restrictive also could be inconvenient for our 
> users as well.
>
> I would like to drop the Apache NetBeans Provided Snap packages as 
> well, move that to community. Apache restrictions, while being 
> reasonable, eventually hurt end-user experience.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org
>
> For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists
>
>
>


---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Laszlo Kishalmi <la...@gmail.com>.
On 1/7/25 10:25, Neil C Smith wrote:
> There are two things to consider.  Firstly, we could, and actually in
> my opinion should, drop all the convenience installers and just
> provide the binary zip.  Installers that rely on system JDKs are
> likely to become more problematic over time, given code signing,
> sandboxing, permissions and other factors.  I think if people want to
> use a JDK of choice they should use the binary zip.  That also means
> potentially looking to improve the range and availability of community
> installers, besides or instead of the ones I'm producing I hasten to
> add!  That will involve continuing discussions somewhat independent of
> the project itself.

I agree on this one. Even if I considered having packages from the 
single source of truth as value.

Holding to that simply getting too much burden on maintenance on the 
other hand could be restrictive also could be inconvenient for our users 
as well.

I would like to drop the Apache NetBeans Provided Snap packages as well, 
move that to community. Apache restrictions, while being reasonable, 
eventually hurt end-user experience.



---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Tue, 7 Jan 2025 at 18:25, Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org> wrote:
> It could also be possible to set the shortcut to point to --jdkhome
> "%JAVA_HOME%".  You can try this with the current community
> installers, editing and overriding the existing internal link in the
> shortcut properties.  However, it won't work unless you remove the
> final slash off the environment variable.

I may be an idiot! :-)

I was convinced I'd checked this wasn't an escaping issue between the
final slash and the quote ...

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists




Re: heads up: windows installer/uninstaller issues

Posted by Neil C Smith <ne...@apache.org>.
On Mon, 6 Jan 2025 at 19:22, Michael Bien <mb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> IMO: -> good time to stop releasing NBI based windows "convenience
> installers" since NBI is effectively unmaintained *

TL;DR dropping NBI means either concentrating on community installers
or fixing the launcher ...

We definitely need to work towards this, as NBI has effectively not
been maintained in most of the time the project has been at ASF.  I
put time into NBPackage because I think NBI is also a fundamentally
flawed approach that will just become more and more problematic.

There are two things to consider.  Firstly, we could, and actually in
my opinion should, drop all the convenience installers and just
provide the binary zip.  Installers that rely on system JDKs are
likely to become more problematic over time, given code signing,
sandboxing, permissions and other factors.  I think if people want to
use a JDK of choice they should use the binary zip.  That also means
potentially looking to improve the range and availability of community
installers, besides or instead of the ones I'm producing I hasten to
add!  That will involve continuing discussions somewhat independent of
the project itself.

The second thing, should we decide we do wish to continue delivering
convenience installers that use a system JDK, is understanding some of
the barriers to doing that with NBPackage for Windows right now.  The
NBI installer has code to find and write in the location of the JDK
into netbeans.conf.  While not impossible to achieve using the
InnoSetup backend, or a future WiX backend, to NBPackage, I think it
would be a bad idea.  Writing the jdkhome into netbeans.conf,
particularly in a system installed location, is a mistake.

The launcher on Windows is no longer capable of finding a JDK itself.
If the revised code from NBI was added into the launcher, that could
allow both the installer and binary zip options to find a JDK without
configuration.

At the moment, the NBPackage Windows backend sets up --jdkhome in the
desktop shortcuts it creates.  This is quite useful, as you can even
copy and have multiple shortcuts with different settings.

It could also be possible to set the shortcut to point to --jdkhome
"%JAVA_HOME%".  You can try this with the current community
installers, editing and overriding the existing internal link in the
shortcut properties.  However, it won't work unless you remove the
final slash off the environment variable.  Updating the launcher to
not break with --jdkhome set to eg. C:\Program Files\Eclipse
Adoptium\jdk-23.0.1.11-hotspot\ instead of C:\Program Files\Eclipse
Adoptium\jdk-23.0.1.11-hotspot would be a bare minimum that could
allow this to work pending other improvements.  In doing that, we
should also be able to provide some protection to check that JAVA_HOME
is at least configured within the installer.

Also updating the IDE launcher to support relative JDK home like the
platform launcher does would be good for some other installer related
things.

Best wishes,

Neil

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@netbeans.apache.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@netbeans.apache.org

For further information about the NetBeans mailing lists, visit:
https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/NETBEANS/Mailing+lists