Features

Purpose

IzPack is a one-stop solution for packaging, distributing and deploying applications.

It is fully cross-platform and generates a single installer. As such, it is an alternative to native solutions such as platform-specific installers and package managers.

IzPack-generated installers only require a Java virtual machine to run.

Many companies and projects have been using IzPack over the years. Some enjoyed it so much that they even decided to use it as the basis of their own installers!

Open source

Open Source Initiative Approved Open Source Software

IzPack is published under the terms of the Apache License, Version 2.0, meaning that you can adapt it to your needs with very minimal constraints.

Cross platform

IzPack requires a Java virtual machine to run.

It has been successfuly running on Windows XP / Vista / 2003 / 2000, Mac OS X, Solaris, Linux and *BSD.

You can package once, and deploy the very same installer to many platforms!

Customizable

IzPack is highly customizable, you can create your installers the way you want, not the way we thought it should be.

1. Customize the appearance: do you want a top-banner? a side-banner? no banner? a Java look and feel on a given platform? Tweak it!
2. Choose your panels and order them as you want: do you want to display a license-agreement first? or maybe you would like to offer some information text first. Tweak it!
3. Optional features: don't put excessive weight into your installers.
4. Extend it: should the provided panels not support your requirements, there is an API for creating yours.

Native integration

We support Windows shortcuts, but this is optional.

We support Freedesktop.org-compliant X11 window managers, but this is optional.

We support interaction with the Windows registry (e.g., linking files with applications, add an uninstallation link in the add / remove program settings, ...), but... this is optional.

We have utilities for wrapping an installer inside a Windows self-extracting executable or a Mac OS X application bundle. Oh and this is optional too!

Build integration

We provide direct integration with Apache Ant.

We also provide command-line scripts. Finally there is an unofficial Maven integration.

Uninstaller

Installing is important... but uninstalling as well.

The IzPack uninstaller removes all the mess that you installed. Oh and it won't necessarily show up in French!

Console mode

Starting from IzPack 4.3.0, we have a support for console installations (manual ar automated). This works locally and remotely (e.g., through a SSH connection):

You can also record an installation on one machine, then replay it on many other machines.

User input

Get data from users, then reuse it to customize your installation.

On this example, Glassfish users can tweak how their default domain is configured.

Translations

IzPack comes bundled with many translations. You can easily add new ones.

Customizing resources (e.g., the text of your license agreement depending on the locale) is also very easy.

Variables

Variables can be defined and collected from several places.

You can then use the variables to customize panels, installation resources, scripts, installed files, ... whatever you like!