What is a .ISM file?
The .ISM file extension is used for a type of file called an InstallShield Project File. This kind of file is made using InstallShield, which is a special software tool designed to help people create setup programs for Windows applications. When developers want to distribute their software, they often need to package it in a way that makes it easy for users to install on their computers. InstallShield helps with this by providing a way to organize all the necessary components of the software, like the files it needs to run, any custom scripts to control the installation process, and settings for how the installer should look and work.
An .ISM file includes all the important settings and information for a particular installation project. This can involve how the files are arranged, the names of the files, any special scripts that are run during installation, and how the installer dialogs (the windows that pop up during installation) appear to the user. Essentially, it's a blueprint that tells InstallShield exactly how to build the installer package that gets distributed to users.
To open an .ISM file, you would typically use Flexera InstallShield, which is the program that creates these files. It's important to note that not all versions of InstallShield can create .ISM files; only the Premiere and Professional editions have this capability.
ISM files can be saved in two different formats: a binary format, which is a bit like a compiled program that computers can read but is not easy for humans to understand, and an XML format, which is structured in a way that's easier for people to read and edit if they need to make changes to the project settings.
In summary, if you're working with software development and need to create an installer for your Windows application, you might end up working with .ISM files as part of using InstallShield to package your software. To work with these files, you'll need access to the appropriate version of InstallShield that supports .ISM files.
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