Using the InstallShield-based MCR Installer

As of MATLAB Release R2007b, the installation of the MATLAB Common-Runtime (MCR) has been changed to use a multi-platform installer based on InstallShield. While this provides MathWorks with a nice, graphical installer that supports Windows and other platforms, it is not as well suited for those installing the MCR for use on Linux grid computers, where a graphical interface is often not available.
In developing the deployment instructions for the latest MATLAB releases, I was able to uncover how to use this InstallShield installer without a graphical interface. This lead me to track down the details on how to set up a `silent' installation where a prepared set of answers are provided. The following details what I have found so far.

Initial solution for non-graphical installation

I first tracked down the issue in the MATLAB support pages. Technical Solution 1-4S5J4N (web page) (PDF of page) was supposed to answer how to do a non-graphical, silent installation. However, it just told the inquirer about the hidden help command

MCRInstaller.bin -is:help

Usage : MCRInstaller.exe [OPTIONS] [APPLICATION_ARGUMENTS]
  
Where OPTIONS include:
     
   -is:javahome   JRE home which points to directory containing bin/java.
   -is:tempdir    Temporary directory to be used by the launcher.
   -cp:a    Append  to the launcher's classpath.
   -cp:p    Prepend  to the launcher's classpath.
   -is:log   Log debug messages to .
   -is:extract         Extracts the contents of the archive.
   -is:nospacecheck    Turns off the launcher disk space checking. 
   -is:version         Returns launcher version and exits.
   -is:help            Prints this help message and exits

This was interesting, but is no solution.
However, in trying to get remote X-windows to work (which does for MCRInstaller.bin), I did get InstallShield to respond with a suggestion to use the -console and -silent switches(!!). I tried the -console switch and it let me do installations without a X-windows screen, as below:

[kthorne@hydra ~]$ R2007b/glnx86/MCRInstaller.bin -console

         Initializing InstallShield Wizard........
         Launching InstallShield Wizard........


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATLAB(R) Compiler Runtime 7.7 - InstallShield Wizard

Welcome to the InstallShield Wizard for MATLAB(R) Compiler Runtime 7.7

The InstallShield Wizard will install MATLAB(R) Compiler Runtime 7.7 on your
computer.
To continue, choose Next.

MATLAB(R) Compiler Runtime 7.7
The MathWorks
http://www.mathworks.com



Press 1 for Next, 3 to Cancel or 5 to Redisplay [1] 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATLAB(R) Compiler Runtime 7.7 - InstallShield Wizard

MATLAB(R) Compiler Runtime 7.7 Install Location

Please specify a directory or press Enter to accept the default directory.

Destination Directory [/opt/MATLAB/MATLAB_Component_Runtime] /home/thorne/MCR/glnx86

Press 1 for Next, 2 for Previous, 3 to Cancel or 5 to Redisplay [1] 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATLAB(R) Compiler Runtime 7.7 - InstallShield Wizard

MATLAB(R) Compiler Runtime 7.7 will be installed in the following location:

/home/thorne/MCR/glnx86

with the following features:

MATLAB Compiler Runtime

for a total size:

 491.6 MB

Press 1 for Next, 2 for Previous, 3 to Cancel or 5 to Redisplay [1] 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATLAB Component Runtime 7.7 - InstallShield Wizard


Installing MATLAB Component Runtime 7.7. Please wait...


|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------|
0%         25%         50%         75%        100%
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Creating uninstaller...


Finalizing the Vital Product Data Registry. Please wait...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATLAB Component Runtime 7.7 - InstallShield Wizard

The InstallShield Wizard has successfully installed MATLAB Component Runtime
7.7. Choose Finish to exit the wizard.

Press 3 to Finish or 5 to Redisplay [3]

Getting More Detail for Silent Installation

To dig deeper, I used our dear friend Google to try to find raw InstallShield information. I eventually found the Acresso web site, and information on multi-platform InstallShield. I first found a page on "Installation and Uninstallation Launcher Command-Line Options" (web page) (HTML of page) (PDF of page). This detailed similar options to the `help' from MathWorks. However, under -is:javaconsole and -is:silent were links to the actual console and silent options. These links took a page on "Using Run-Time Command-Line Options" (web page) (HTML of page) (PDF of page). This explained the console and silent switch. It also details the various options switch combos to get it to record the answers during an installation session and then use them as input for a later, silent installation (I have not tested this as yet...)

Keith Thorne

t h o r n e @ g r a v i t y . p s u . e d u

Last modified: Tue, June 10, 2008