Symbolic variables

Symbolic variables represent changeable text strings, including folder paths, target system information, product information, and user interface settings. The available symbolic variables are listed on the Variables project page; you can modify existing variables and add new ones on that page.

The Variables project page also contains the following pseudo-variables:

Both types of pseudo-variables are created automatically. See Symbolic Variable attributes for more information about symbolic variable types. The Alphabetical reference topic contains a full list of all predefined symbolic variables.

Symbolic variables are used in symbolic expressions and as part of conditional expressions in many places in InstallMate.

On the Variables project page you can recognize the variables by their icon, as shown in the following table:

Icon Description
Variable contains generic text.
Generic text, disabled Variable contains generic text, but its Include in installer option is not checked.
Variable represents a file or folder path.
Folder path, disabled Variable represents a file or folder path, but its Include in installer option is not checked.
Variable represents a folder alias; click on the button in the toolbar to go to the target folder.
Variable represents a registry key path.
Registry key path, disabled Variable represents a registry key path, but its Include in installer option is not checked.
Variable represents a registry key alias; click on the button in the toolbar to go to the target registry key.

Predefined variables

To help you locate the most appropriate symbolic variables for a particular purpose, the variables are broken down into categories that reflect their recommended usage or purpose. The Alphabetical reference topic contains a full list of all predefined symbolic variables.