This XML code defines a schema (XSD - XML Schema...

August 22, 2025 at 08:38 PM

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<schema targetNamespace="http://schemas.microsoft.com/wsus/2005/04/CorporatePublishing/Installers/CommandLineInstallation.xsd"
    xmlns:cmd="http://schemas.microsoft.com/wsus/2005/04/CorporatePublishing/Installers/CommandLineInstallation.xsd"
    xmlns:bt="http://schemas.microsoft.com/wsus/2005/04/CorporatePublishing/BaseTypes.xsd"
    xmlns:mspblob="http://www.microsoft.com/msi/patch_applicability.xsd" 
    xmlns:sdp="http://schemas.microsoft.com/wsus/2005/04/CorporatePublishing/SoftwareDistributionPackage.xsd"
    xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" elementFormDefault="qualified" attributeFormDefault="unqualified">
    <!--
    Data specific to command line installation 
  -->
    <element name="CommandLineInstallerData" substitutionGroup="sdp:InstallHandlerSpecificData">
        <complexType>
            <annotation>
                <documentation>Specifies the program and arguments to execute to install the package, and the possible return codes.</documentation>
            </annotation>
            <sequence>
                <element name="ReturnCode" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded">
                    <annotation>
                        <documentation>A possible return code from the program.</documentation>
                    </annotation>
                    <complexType>
                        <sequence>
                            <element name="LocalizedDescription" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded">
                                <annotation>
                                    <documentation>The localized description of this return code.  Package authors are encouraged but not required to include descriptions of their return codes.  These descriptions are very useful when debugging failed installations. The first one listed is considered the default.</documentation>
                                </annotation>
                                <complexType>
                                    <sequence>
                                        <element name="Language" type="sdp:LocalizedPropertiesLanguage" maxOccurs="unbounded">
                                            <annotation>
                                                <documentation>A language that this description applies to.  A description may apply to one or more languages.</documentation>
                                            </annotation>
                                        </element>
                                        <element name="Description" type="sdp:Description">
                                            <annotation>
                                                <documentation>The actual description of this return code.</documentation>
                                            </annotation>
                                        </element>
                                    </sequence>
                                </complexType>
                            </element>
                        </sequence>
                        <attribute name="Code" type="int" use="required">
                            <annotation>
                                <documentation>The return code.</documentation>
                            </annotation>
                        </attribute>
                        <attribute name="Result" type="cmd:InstallationResult" use="required">
                            <annotation>
                                <documentation>The result of the installation when the program exits with this return code.</documentation>
                            </annotation>
                        </attribute>
                        <attribute name="Reboot" type="boolean" use="optional" default="false">
                            <annotation>
                                <documentation>Specifies whether or not a reboot should be performed when the program exits with this return code.</documentation>
                            </annotation>
                        </attribute>
                    </complexType>
                </element>
                <element name="WindowsInstallerRepairPath" minOccurs="0" maxOccurs="unbounded" type="mspblob:RepairPath" />
            </sequence>
            <attribute name="Program" type="bt:FilePath" use="required">
                <annotation>
                    <documentation>The program to execute.  The program must be a filename such as PROGRAM.EXE, and may include an optional relative path.  The Client will download (and decompress) the files required for installation (if any) into a temporary directory, and then execute the program via Win32 CreateProcess.  This attribute specifies the file within the temporary directory to execute.  If the decompression results in subdirectories within the temporary directory, the file to execute may be within on of those subdirectories and the relative path should include that subdirectory.  Note that this means that only files within the temporary directory may be executed so the executable must be included in the files download from the server.</documentation>
                </annotation>
            </attribute>
            <attribute name="Arguments" type="string" use="optional">
                <annotation>
                    <documentation>The command-line arguments to pass to the program.  This attribute is passed as the lpCommandLine parameter to Win32 CreateProcess.</documentation>
                </annotation>
            </attribute>
            <attribute name="DefaultResult" type="cmd:InstallationResult" use="optional" default="Failed">
                <annotation>
                    <documentation>The result to be used when the program exits with a return code other than those listed in this element.</documentation>
                </annotation>
            </attribute>
            <attribute name="RebootByDefault" type="boolean" use="optional" default="false">
                <annotation>
                    <documentation>Specifies whether or not a reboot should be performed when the program exits with a return code other than those listed in this element.</documentation>
                </annotation>
            </attribute>
        </complexType>
    </element>
    <simpleType name="InstallationResult">
        <annotation>
            <documentation>The result of an installation or uninstallation. All installations and uninstallations must result in one of these values. This simpleType is used by schemas that derive from HandlerSpecificData.</documentation>
        </annotation>
        <restriction base="token">
            <enumeration value="Failed" />
            <enumeration value="Succeeded" />
            <enumeration value="Cancelled" />
        </restriction>
    </simpleType>
</schema>

This XML code defines a schema (XSD - XML Schema Definition) for describing the structure and constraints of an installation process, particularly focused on command-line-based installers. It is specific to Microsoft's implementation of schemas for Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and related technologies. Here's what this schema does:

Context and Purpose

The schema is used for defining data and rules related to "CommandLineInstallerData," a structure that provides details about how a software package is installed via a command-line interface. This schema is useful in scenarios where software needs to be distributed and installed programmatically.

Key Features of the Code

XML Schema Declaration:
- The code starts with an XML schema declaration (<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>) and defines namespaces for related schemas and their prefixes, like cmd, bt, mspblob, and sdp.
Main Element:
- The main element <element name="CommandLineInstallerData" substitutionGroup="sdp:InstallHandlerSpecificData"> describes data required for command-line installation. It is part of an existing group sdp:InstallHandlerSpecificData.
Program to Execute:
- The Program attribute specifies the program (e.g., PROGRAM.EXE) that will be executed to install the package. It allows for relative paths and assumes the program is downloaded to a temporary directory before execution.
Arguments:
- The Arguments attribute specifies optional command-line arguments passed to the program.
Return Codes:
- The <element name="ReturnCode"> defines possible return codes (exit codes) generated by the program during installation. Each return code includes:
  - A unique numeric code (Code).
  - The result type (Result), which is defined by the simple type InstallationResult with three possible values:
    - Failed
    - Succeeded
    - Cancelled
  - An optional reboot requirement (Reboot), which forces a system reboot if true.
Localized Descriptions:
- For each return code, its meaning can be described in multiple languages through <element name="LocalizedDescription">. This supports debugging and provides human-readable explanations for return codes.
Windows Installer Repair Path:
- The optional <element name="WindowsInstallerRepairPath"> links to repair paths for the installer, defined by the mspblob:RepairPath type.
Default Behavior:
- The DefaultResult attribute is used when the program exits with a code that is not explicitly listed. By default, it assumes a Failed result.
- The RebootByDefault attribute specifies whether a reboot should occur if the return code is unrecognized (defaults to false).
Simple Type for Installation Results:
- The <simpleType name="InstallationResult"> restricts possible results of an installation to one of three enumerations: Failed, Succeeded, or Cancelled.

High-Level Functionality

Overall, this schema:

Defines the structure for specifying a command-line-based installer.
Includes details about executable programs, their arguments, and possible outcomes.
Supports error handling via return codes and their translated meanings.
Optionally sets default behaviors for unknown scenarios, such as requiring a reboot.

This schema is designed for use in enterprise systems like WSUS where automated software installations need to be standardized and well-documented.

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