Using response files

This topic describes how to use response files.

Before you perform an operation such as installing service or uninstalling, refer to the instructions specific to the task that you are performing in addition to this topic.

For uninstallation you are advised to use the Sample response files supplied with WebSphere Message Broker.

You can also use response files to install service updates; for further information see:
If you want to install or uninstall in silent mode (see Modes of installation and uninstallation), but you want to use values other than the defaults, you can pass a response file to the program. A response file is a text file that contains options that define the choices that the wizard makes. For example, you can tailor several options in the installation and uninstallation wizards to cause the operation to be completed in a particular way.
  • Specify a non-default installation location
  • Choose a custom installation (typical is the default) (runtime components only)
  • Choose which components to install (runtime components only)
  • Specify if the program is to check for prerequisite software (runtime components only)

Commands in this topic show the use of response files when installing service, however, this information is equally applicable to uninstalling the product. To use response files when uninstalling, substitute uninstaller for installer where it occurs in the example commands. In the example commands, uninstaller and installer denote where the specific names of the uninstall or installation wizards should be entered. For the names of the uninstall and installation wizards, and full details of these tasks, see the Installation Guide, Applying service to runtime components, and Uninstalling.

Sample response files

Sample response files are supplied with WebSphere Message Broker. Use these response files when uninstalling the product. The sample response file includes detailed information about the options that you can change, and the values you must enter to change them. You can tailor this file to your requirements. The sample response files are located in the sample_scripts directory of root CD directory.

Generating response files

The command for generating a template installation response file, without installation being performed is:
installer -options-template responsefile
where responsefile is the full path and name of your chosen response file. On Windows, surround the path and name with double quotes if it contains spaces.

The generated template response file contains full instructions on how to edit it to specify your required options. Installation is not performed.

You can edit the file to change the options to define the operation that you want to be performed.

If you are uninstalling, create the response file in another directory to ensure that it is not deleted as part of the uninstallation.

A problem with InstallShield causes generated response files to contain incorrect options. If you select one or more specific components to be uninstalled (rather than the full product), the option is ignored and the full product is uninstalled. To overcome this problem, complete the following steps.

  1. Open the generated response file in a text editor.
  2. Find each line that specifies if an individual component is to be uninstalled:
    -P feature.active=true
    where feature is the name of the component that you want to be uninstalled.
  3. Change each line to the following content:
    -P feature.activeForUninstall=true
  4. Find each line that specifies if an individual component is not to be uninstalled:
    -P feature.active=false
    where feature is the name of the component that you do not want to uninstall.
  5. Change each line to the following content:
    -P feature.activeForUninstall=false
  6. Check that one of these statements is present for every component. The generated response file might also include activeForUninstall statements that refer to components that are not installed on this system. If such statements exist, ensure that the activeForUninstall option for each of these components is set to true. If the activeForUninstall option is set to false for these components, the uninstallation program fails.

Recording a response file

The command for recording a response file during installation is:
installer -options-record responsefile 
where responsefile is the full path and name of your chosen response file. On Windows, surround the path and name with double quotes if it contains spaces. Create this file in a directory different to the one in which the product is installed.

The installation wizard starts in graphical mode, and requires your input as it progresses. Your responses are recorded during installation. When installation is complete, the response file contains all the choices you have made during installation.

If you want to record a response file during a console mode installation, use the following command:
installer -options-record responsefile -console

Calling response files in commands

To run a program specifying the silent options and the response file that you want to use, use the following command:
installer -options responsefile -silent
where responsefile is the full path and name of your chosen response file. On Windows, surround the path and name with double quotes if it contains spaces.

The program runs without interaction according to the options selected when you recorded the response file.