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updated documentation: new system for DLL/TLB library setup, useful script code, history, credits, intro, tutorial

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\C{intro} Introduction to NSIS
\B{intro-about} About NSIS
\H{intro-about} About NSIS
NSIS, which stands for "Nullsoft Scriptable Installation System", is a free scriptable win32 installer/uninstaller system that doesn't suck and isn't huge. It was originally created by Nullsoft to distribute Winamp and its plug-ins, but is now a system used to distribute hundreds of applications.
An installer is the first experience of a user with your application.
Slow or unsuccesful software installations are the most irritating computer problems.
A quick and user friendly installer is therefore an essential part of your software product.
NSIS creates installers that are capable of installing, uninstalling, setting system settings, extracting files, etc. Pretty much anything. Because it's based on script files, you can fully control every part of your installers. The script language support variables, functions, string manipulation, just like a normal programming language - but designed for the creation of installers.
NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) is a tool that allows programmers to create such installers for Windows.
It is released under an open source license and is \R{license}{completely free for any use}.
Even with all these features, NSIS is still the smallest installer system available. With the default options, it has an overhead of only 34 KB. NSIS installers don't bother decompressing themselves three different times, telling the user to "please wait". They get to the point and get the job done.
NSIS creates installers that are capable of installing, uninstalling, setting system settings, extracting files, etc.
Because it's based on script files, you can fully control every part of your installers.
The script language support variables, functions, string manipulation, just like a normal programming language - but designed for the creation of installers.
Even with all these features, NSIS is still the smallest installer system available. With the default options, it has an overhead of only 34 KB.
NSIS is released under an open source license (it is actually the zlib/libpng license, which is approved by opensource.org). What does this mean? It means that if you want to add the functionality you need to NSIS, you can. It means if you want to make your own custom version of NSIS (or some product that includes NSIS), and sell it, you can. Or if you just want to distribute your software using NSIS, you sure as hell can. NSIS 2 is now being developed by a team of open source developers.
\H{intro-features} Main Features
The result of all of this is an installation system that lets you compile nice little scripts into tiny installers. Many features are supported, and the whole thing just works pretty damn well (at least, we think).
\\<b\\>Small overhead size\\</b\\>
\B{intro-features} Main Features
NSIS is created to be small, fast and and efficient. While other installers often add hundreds of kilobytes or several megeabytes to your installer data, a full featured NSIS installer has an overhead of only 34 KB.
Here's a short list of some of NSIS' features:
\\<b\\>Compatible with all major Windows versions\\</b\\>
\b SuperPiMP\\&trade; technology (so advanced, so amazing, we won't even tell you what it is)
You can create a single installer that is compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.
\\<b\\>Unique compression methods\\</b\\>
You can choose between three different integrated compression method (ZLib, BZip2, LZMA). The new LZMA compression gives better results than any other common compression method. You don't have to use large self-extracting archive modules or other applications. The compression support is included in the 34 KB overhead.
\\<b\\>Script based\\</b\\>
Unlike other systems that can only generate installers based on a list of files and registry keys, NSIS has a powerful scripting language. This script language is designed for installers and has command that help you to perform many installation tasks. You can easily add custom logic and handle different upgrades, version checks and more.
\\<b\\>Multiple languages in one installer\\</b\\>
One installer can support multiple interface languages. More than 40 translations are already included, but you can also create your own language files. RTL (right-to-left) languages such as Arabic and Hebrew are fully supported.
\\<b\\>Many features and checks for the target system\\</b\\>
The script langauge provides commands you can use on the target system. From simple features like folder creation and registry editing to text/binary file modification, modification of environment variables and system reboots. Using provided plug-ins you can even use Windows API.
\\<b\\>Custom dialogs and interfaces\\</b\\>
You can create custom wizard pages to get user input or integrate configuration options. NSIS includes a classic and modern wizard interface, but it is even possible to create a own custom interface.
\\<b\\>Plug-in system\\</b\\>
NSIS can be extended with plug-in that can communicate with the installer. They can be written in C, C++, Delphi or another language and can be used to perform installation tasks or extend the installer interface. You can use the plug-in with a single line of script code. Plug-ins can also be compressed like other installation data and will only be included when you are using the provided features.
\\<b\\>Support for web installation, file patching\\</b\\>
The NSIS distribution includes a set of plug-ins that allow you to download files from the internet, make internet connections, patch existing files and more.
\\<b\\>Project integration, different releases and automatic builds\\</b\\>
The NSIS compiler features a powerful preprocessor. This allows you to easily integrate multiple projects into a single installer or automatically generate installer builds. You can also generate different releases such a lite and full version.
\\<b\\>Easy and human readable file formats\\</b\\>
The NSIS script format and the format used for interface dialogs are easy, documented and human readable, so you can edit your files with your favorite editor. This also makes automatic script generation possible.
\H{intro-featurelist} Feature List
\b Generates self contained executable installers
\b Support for ZLib, BZip2 and LZMA data compression (files can be compressed individually or together)
\b Support for ZLIB, BZIP2 and LZMA data compression (files can be compressed individually or together)
\b Uninstall support (installer can generate an uninstaller)