Using Answer files for silent installs

I was looking to do a silent install for my installer but i have alot of option. i came across the recommendation in the help file to use an answer file for complex installs, but after that i found nothing talking about this.

Has anyone used these or would it be better to just use complex command line flags for silent installs?

If i should just change up things to make it more silent friendly any good refs would be welcomed.

Thanks guys!

You could use ini file for your answer files
The idea is something like this:
(example to set $INSTDIR from ini file)

; --------------------- Code Begin
; Find MyAnswerFile.ini in same location as installer file
; if could not find goto NoINIFile
IfFileExists `$EXEDIR\MyAnswerFile.ini` 0 NoINIFile

; Read RootPath in Section Install from MyAnswerFile.ini
ReadINIStr $0 `$EXEDIR\MyAnswerFile.ini` Install RootPath

; set installation directory to path in MyAnswerFile.ini
StrCpy $INSTDIR $0

Goto ContinueToNextCode

NoINIFile:
; Set your default value here since no answer file is found
StrCpy $INSTDIR `$PROGRAMFILES\My Program`

ContinueToNextCode:
; Your next code
; --------------------- Code End

MyAnswerFile.ini
----------------
[Install]
RootPath=D:\My Program

Hopefully could help

Thank you valentz142 that makes all that make more sense.

Now if I have a user that needs to use a full command line to use for deploying over a network via GPO. Is there a good way to make an install more command line friendly?

Sorry for the noob question.

Yes, as always see the wiki 😉