An open source installer can refer to a tool for installing open source software or an open source operating system. It can create installation files or be a CD-ROM that runs automatically. It can also run the operating system without installing it permanently, making it useful for testing or running on someone else’s machine.
The phrase open source installer can have several meanings in computing. May refer to an installation tool created and distributed on an open source basis. Alternatively, it may refer to a tool used for installing an open source operating system, such as those based on Linux.
The first definition of an open source installer can cover both tools for installing a particular application and systems for creating installation tools. An example of the former is an installer designed to put the Java system on a computer. This can be useful because there are many different variables involved in installing a Java system. Because the installer is built on an open source basis, it’s easier to configure it so that people who download and use it get the precise combination of Java-related settings they should have on their computer.
An open source installer can also be a system of tools used to create installation files. These are files that users download and run to physically install an application on a computer running an operating system such as Windows. This can be a complex process, as the software must interact correctly with the operating system, other software applications, and computer hardware, without conflicts. Using an open source installer is often an easy and inexpensive way for a software developer to take care of this process.
The second definition of an open source installer covers the various techniques used to install an open source operating system. This can be a complex process for inexperienced users, especially those who want to run their new system alongside Windows. An easy-to-use installer can be instrumental in helping people skeptical of Linux-based systems make the switch.
The most common form of this type of open source installer is a CD-ROM. This can be distributed in physical form, such as attached to a magazine, or via downloadable files that are burned to a disc by the user. In most cases, the CD-ROM will run automatically, prompting the user to select settings similar to installing software applications.
Many open source installers also have the ability to run the operating system without installing it to a hard drive. These usually come in the form of a “Live CD” that can load the operating system into the computer’s memory every time it starts up. This can be useful for people who want to try out the system or who need to run it on someone else’s machine and therefore can’t install it permanently. Some versions of the open source system are small enough to run equally from a USB memory stick.
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