Product packaging and installation mechanism

A computer comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory being encoded with instructions to:

• automatically prepare a source file comprising a statement declaring an array to be static and of sufficient space to accommodate a plurality of files to be packaged, the name of each file in the plurality of files, and an address for each file in the plurality of files;
• automatically compiling the source file into an executable file;
• automatically overwriting the executable file with at least:
• data from each file in the plurality of files, the name of each file in the plurality of files, and an address of a location of data of each file in the executable file;
• and
• automatically storing in a storage device, an overwritten executable file resulting from said automatically overwriting;
• wherein said overwritten executable file in said storage device comprises said array and a header of a format specific to an operating system.

An apparatus for packaging a plurality of files, the apparatus comprising:

• means for automatically preparing a source file comprising an array declared to be static and have sufficient space to accommodate a plurality of files to be packaged, the name of each file in the plurality of files, and an address for each file in the plurality of files;
• means for automatically compiling the source file into an executable file;
• means for automatically overwriting the executable file with at least:
• data from each file in the plurality of files, the name of each file in the plurality of files, and an address of a location of data of each file in the executable files;
• and
• means for automatically storing in a storage device, an overwritten executable file output by said means for automatically overwriting;
• wherein said overwritten executable file in said storage device comprises said array and a header of a format specific to an operating system.

A method of packaging a plurality of files, the method comprising:

• determining (a) total number of files in the plurality of files, (b) total size of data of files in the plurality of files, and (c) total length of names of files in the plurality of files;
• preparing a source file comprising a predetermined bit pattern and a declaration of an array, the array being declared to be static and to have space derived from the total number, the total size and the total length;
• compiling the source file into an executable file;
• and
• overwriting a first region in the executable file with the name of each file in the plurality of files, wherein the first region is in the array at a first location relative to the predetermined bit pattern;
• overwriting a second region of the executable file with data from each file in the plurality of files, wherein the second region is in the array at a second location relative to the predetermined bit pattern;
• maintaining in memory a directory, with an entry for each file in the plurality, the entry comprising the size of each file in the executable file, an address of a location of data of each file in the executable file, and an additional address of another location at which the name of each file is stored;
• overwriting a third region of the executable file with said directory, wherein the third region is in the array at a third location relative to the predetermined bit pattern;
• and
• storing in a storage device, an overwritten executable file resulting from said overwritings;
• wherein said overwritten executable file in said storage device comprises said array and a header of a format specific to an operating system.

A method of packaging a plurality of files, the method comprising:

• preparing an executable file comprising a static array, the static array being of sufficient space to accommodate at least a plurality of files to be packaged;
• overwriting the static array in the executable file with data from each file in the plurality of files;
• and
• storing in a storage device, an overwritten executable file resulting from said overwriting;
• wherein said overwritten executable file in said storage device comprises said static array and a header of a format specific to an operating system.