InstallShield internal library function 12 shared and lock file functions
A shared file is a file that can be used by multiple applications, such as .dll, .vbx, or driver. The InstallShield protects the shared file is not deleted during the uninstall.
The function using the sharedfile option treats all the files as shared files, thus incrementing the registry reference counter for all included files. If the file exists in the target directory and its registry reference counter is greater than 0, INSTALLSHIELD adds its registry reference counter. If the shared file does not exist in the target directory and it does not have a reference counter, INSTALLSHIELD creates the counter and set it to 1. If the shared file already exists in the target directory, INSTALLSHIELD creates the counter and initializes it as 2, which prevents accidental deletion in the uninstall process.
Share files cannot be updated when they are locked. Some installShield file transfer functions use the SharedFile option, so that the .dll and .exe files that are locked during the file transfer process can be recorded and updated when Windows or system restarts.
InstallShield treats a file that is being used by an application or system as a lock. Locking files do not have to be shared files.
The following functions handles shared and lock files:
IS
See 3.9.
RebootDialog
See 4.9.
SDFINISHREBOOT
See 5.17.
Verupdatefile
See 21.5.
XcopyFile
See 9.28.
