Master and Test your Application
Go Up to Mastering Apps
This option allows you to master an app using the template .tca file that you just created.
It is also where you can record the launch of the application for faster start-up time. This prefetch action performs the process of streaming application blocks in anticipation that those blocks are needed by an application. Only some key blocks of application data from AppWave are necessary for the application to launch and perform basic functions.
A .tca file (also known as the Studio file) is a set of information that defines the resources, launch points, and registry settings required to run a product. It also contains information about the product such as the version, name, and editions. The .tca file needs to contain all the files that are associated with it. The .tca file has file system information that actually lists files for the program it needs to master. The files have to be physically present at the directory information that is saved in the .tca data.
The template .tca file needs to have the files that go with it. The .tca file has file system information that actually lists files for the program it needs to master.
The mastering process verifies the files that are listed in the .tca file data. It then uses these files to complete the mastering of the app file. The template .tca file needs to be a complete and valid .tca file with all the required data (i.e. Publisher, Vendor, etc.) or the mastering fails. The result of this process is the creation of an app OutputName .stp file.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Output Folder | The default output folder is C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Embarcadero\Studio\Output . |
| File Name | The file name that appears is from the information you entered on the Brand panel. It includes the Name and Version of your application. |
| App | You can select the app file to associate with the .tca file for this application. |
| Compression | You have three options for determining the file size during mastering: No, Fast, and Best. |
| Advanced | Allows you to select the type of encryption you want to use for the App. |
| Master | After your have set and verified your selections, click Master, and the Mastering App dialog appears.
The mastering process changes a Windows-based application into a streamable format. It also gives you the opportunity to launch the app to capture the prefetch information that allows the app to launch quicker. |
App
You can select an app file (.stp) that corresponds to the Studio file you created.
- Click Edit and the Select a mastered app dialog appears.
- Browse to the location of the application’s STP File C:\xxx\<user>\Embarcadero\AppWaveStudio\<application.stp> .
- You can also choose the option to update the icon from the App.
- Click OK to close the dialog.
STP File
This file is the outer layer that encapsulates the other application components. These files are stored in C:\xxx\<user>\Embarcadero\Product Repository\<application>\<version number>\<product name and version>\ .
The other application components include:
| File Extension | Description |
|---|---|
| aib | This file contains the metadata that describes the content (or “blueprint”) of the STC file. |
| stc | The code and other configuration information that comprises the streaming content of an application. |
| tok | Also known as a virtualization token, token files are comprised of security data. |
| ico | icon file |
| .htm/.txt | EULA file |
Compression
You have three options for determining the file size during mastering:
- No Compression: This is useful for testing, but should not be used for streaming.
- Fast: Compresses and decompresses quickly. Use this setting to reduce mastering times. Can be used to stream on faster networks.
- Best: Decompresses faster, but it takes longer to compress. This method is recommended because it results in a 20% smaller App. This results in a greater transfer rate when streaming.
Advanced
The Advanced Button allows you to configure the app. You can select the type of encryption you want to use for the app along with the operating systems to be supported by the app and whether or not the Turbo mode is required for each selected operating system.
This encryption provides a high degree of security, ensuring that application data remains safe and private when streaming over the Internet. You have three encryption options:
- None: No encryption is needed.
- Bitshift: An encryption method that shifts the digits to the left or the right.
- AES_CFB: Cipher Feedback mode which makes a block cipher into a self-synchronizing stream cipher.
Selecting the Use CRC check option specifies that the app integrity is verified based on the md5 file, in order to detect possible transfer data error. Under the Allow Use within the Following Operating Systems option, when the Turbo On option is selected, it indicates that the app is allowed to run on the specified OS and in Turbo mode. When deselected, the check box prevents the app from launching on the specified OS and in Turbo mode.