Hide navigation sidebar
Hide table of contents sidebar
Skip to content
Quickstart Official documentation Setuphelpers Changelog FAQ
Back to top
View this page
Toggle table of contents sidebar

# 4. How to code WAPT packages

## 4.1. Simple examples of commonly used setuphelper functions

Presentation of several functions implemented in Setuphelpers and frequently used to develop WAPT packages.

### 4.1.1. Testing and manipulating folders and files

#### 4.1.1.1. Creating a path recursively

Command makepath makes the path variable for `C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla\Firefox`.

    makepath(programfiles,'Mozilla','Firefox')

#### 4.1.1.2. Creating and destroying directories

Command mkdirs creates the directory `C:\test`.

    mkdirs('C:\\test')

Command remove_tree destroys the directory `C:\tmp\target`.

    remove_tree(r'C:\tmp\target')

#### 4.1.1.3. Checking if a path is a file or a folder

Command isdir checks whether `C:\Program Files (x86)\software` is a directory.

    isdir(makepath(programfiles32,'software')):
        print('The directory exists')

Command isfile checks whether `C:\Program Files (x86)\software\file` is a file.

    isfile(makepath(programfiles32,'software','file')):
        print('file exist')

#### 4.1.1.4. Checking whether a directory is empty

Command dir_is_empty checks that directory `C:\Program Files (x86)\software` is empty.

    dir_is_empty(makepath(programfiles32,'software')):
        print('dir is empty')

#### 4.1.1.5. Copying a file

Command filecopyto copies `file.txt` into the `C:\Program Files (x86)\software` directory.

    filecopyto('file.txt',makepath(programfiles32,'software'))

#### 4.1.1.6. Copying a directory

Command copytree2 copies the `sources` folder into the `C:\projet` directory.

    copytree2('sources','C:\\projet')

### 4.1.2. Manipulating registry keys

#### 4.1.2.1. Checking the existence of a registry key

Command registry_readstring checks if registry key {8A69D345-D564-463c-AFF1-A69D9E530F96} exists in registry path `SOFTWARE\Google\Update\Clients` of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

    if registry_readstring(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, "SOFTWARE\\Google\\Update\\Clients\\{8A69D345-D564-463c-AFF1-A69D9E530F96}", 'pv'):
        print('key exist')

#### 4.1.2.2. Showing the value of a registry key

Command registry_readstring reads the value {8A69D345-D564-463c-AFF1-A69D9E530F96} stored in the registry path `SOFTWARE\Google\Update\Clients` of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

    print(registry_readstring(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, r'SOFTWARE\Google\Update\Clients\{8A69D345-D564-463c-AFF1-A69D9E530F96}', 'pv'))

#### 4.1.2.3. Modifying the value of a registry key

Command registry_setstring modifies the value of the registry key TOUVersion stored in the registry path `SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Live` of HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

    registry_setstring(HKEY_CURRENT_USER, "SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows Live\\Common",'TOUVersion','16.0.0.0', type=REG_SZ)

### 4.1.3. Creating and destroying shortcuts

With WAPT setuphelper it is possible to create different types of shortcuts.

#### 4.1.3.1. Creating a desktop shortcut for all users

Command create_desktop_shortcut creates the shortcut WAPT Console Management into `C:\Users\Public` directory pointing to `C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\waptconsole.exe`; the shortcut is available for all users.

    create_desktop_shortcut(r'WAPT Console Management',target=r'C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\waptconsole.exe')

#### 4.1.3.2. Removing a desktop shortcut for all users

Command remove_desktop_shortcut deletes the WAPT Console Management shortcut from the folder `C:\Users\Public`; the shortcut is deleted for all users.

    remove_desktop_shortcut('WAPT Console Management')

Firefox places a shortcut on the all users desktop, we are going to delete it.

We will use the remove_desktop_shortcut function:

- Modify your `setup.py` and use the function like this.

      # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
      from *SetupHelpers* import *

      uninstallkey = []

      def install():
          install_exe_if_needed("Firefox Setup 45.5.0esr.exe",silentflags="-ms",key='Mozilla Firefox 45.5.0 ESR (x64 fr)',min_version="45.5.0")
          remove_desktop_shortcut('Firefox')

- If you restart the installation from PyScripter, you will notice that the “all users” desktop shortcut has disappeared.

#### 4.1.3.3. Creating a menu shortcut for an application

Command create_programs_menu_shortcut creates the shortcut WAPT Console Management into start menu pointing to `C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\waptconsole.exe`; the shortcut is available for all users.

    create_programs_menu_shortcut(r'WAPT Console Management',target=r'C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\waptconsole.exe')

#### 4.1.3.4. Removing a menu shortcut for an application

Command remove_programs_menu_shortcut deletes the WAPT Console Management shortcut from start menu.

    remove_programs_menu_shortcut('WAPT Console Management')

#### 4.1.3.5. Creating a desktop shortcut for a logged in user

Hint

These functions are used in session_setup context.

Command create_user_desktop_shortcut creates the shortcut WAPT Console Management on user desktop pointing to `C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\waptconsole.exe`.

    create_user_desktop_shortcut(r'WAPT Console Management',target=r'C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\waptconsole.exe')

#### 4.1.3.6. Removing a desktop shortcut for a logged in user

Command remove_user_desktop_shortcut deletes the WAPT Console Management shortcut from the logged in user’s desktop.

    remove_user_desktop_shortcut('WAPT Console Management')

#### 4.1.3.7. Creating a menu shortcut to an application for a specific user

Hint

These functions are used in session_setup context.

Command create_user_programs_menu_shortcut creates the shortcut WAPT Console Management on user start menu pointing to `C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\waptconsole.exe`.

    create_user_programs_menu_shortcut(r'WAPT Console Management',target=r'C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\waptconsole.exe')

#### 4.1.3.8. Removing a menu shortcut to an application for a specific user

Command remove_user_programs_menu_shortcut deletes the WAPT Console Management shortcut from the logged in user’s start menu.

    remove_user_programs_menu_shortcut('WAPT Console Management')

### 4.1.4. Manipulating ini files

#### 4.1.4.1. Reading a value in a section of a ini file

Command inifile_readstring will read a value from a key and a section of a ini file.

    inifile_readstring("file.ini","global","key")

#### 4.1.4.2. Writing a value in a section of a ini file

Command inifile_writestring will modify a value from a key and a section of a ini file.

    inifile_writestring("file.ini","global","key","value")

#### 4.1.4.3. Deleting a key in a section of a ini file

Command inifile_deleteoption will delete a key in a given section of a ini file.

    inifile_deleteoption("file.ini","global","key")

#### 4.1.4.4. Deleting an entire section of a ini file

Command inifile_deletesection will delete a section of a ini file and all of its content.

    inifile_deletesection("file.ini","global")

### 4.1.5. Windows environment/ Software/ Services

#### 4.1.5.1. Retrieving the version of a file

Command get_file_properties shows package properties.

    get_file_properties(makepath(programfiles32,'InfraRecorder','infrarecorder.exe'))['ProductVersion']

#### 4.1.5.2. Checking the Windows version

Command windows_version checks that the Windows version is strictly inferior to 6.2.0.

    windows_version()<Version('6.2.0'):

Hint

For more informations you can visit Microsoft Windows version number.

#### 4.1.5.3. Checking for 64bits architecture

Command iswin64 checks that the system architecture is 64bits.

    if iswin64():
        print('Pc x64')
    else:
        print('Pc not x64')

#### 4.1.5.4. Checking for the Program Files variable

- programfiles;

      print(programfiles())

- programfiles32;

      print(programfiles32())

- programfiles64;

      print(programfiles64())

Each command returns a different ProgramFiles location.

For example, command programfiles64 returns native Program Files directory, eg. `C:\Program Files (x86)` on either win64 or win32 architecture and programfiles() will return the path of the 32bit Program Files directory, eg. `Programs Files (x86)` on win64 architecture, and `Programs Files` on win32 architecture.

#### 4.1.5.5. Checking for the AppData variable

user_appdata/ user_local_appdata

Hint

These functions are used with session_setup

Command user_appdata returns roaming AppData profile path of logged on user (`C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming`).

    print(user_appdata())

Command user_local_appdata returns the local AppData profile path of the logged on user (`C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local`).

    print(user_local_appdata())

#### 4.1.5.6. Disabling temporarily the wow3264 file redirection

Command disable_file_system_redirection disables wow3264 redirection in the current context.

    with disable_file_system_redirection():
        filecopyto('file.txt',system32())

#### 4.1.5.7. Obtaining the current logged in user

Command get_current_user shows the currently logged on username.

    print(get_current_user())

#### 4.1.5.8. Obtaining the computer name

Command get_computername shows the name of the computer.

    print(get_computername())

#### 4.1.5.9. Obtaining the AD domain to which the computer is joined

Command get_domain_fromregistry returns the FQDN of the computer.

    get_domain_fromregistry()

### 4.1.6. Actions on installed software

#### 4.1.6.1. Checking installed software

Command installed_softwares returns the list of installed software on the computer from registry in an array.

    installed_softwares('winscp')

    [{'install_location': u'C:\\Program Files\\WinSCP\\', 'version': u'5.9.2', 'name': u'WinSCP 5.9.2', 'key': u'winscp3_is1', 'uninstall_string': u'"C:\\Program Files\\WinSCP\\unins000.exe"', 'publisher': u'Martin Prikryl', 'install_date': u'20161102', 'system_component': 0}]

#### 4.1.6.2. Obtaining the uninstall command from registry

Command uninstall_cmd returns the silent uninstall command.

    uninstall_cmd('winscp3_is1')

    "C:\Program Files\WinSCP\unins000.exe" /SILENT

#### 4.1.6.3. Uninstalling software

    for to_uninstall in installed_softwares(name="winscp"):
          if Version(to_uninstall["version"]) < Version(control.get_software_version()):
              print(f"Removing: {to_uninstall['name']} ({to_uninstall['version']})")
              killalltasks(ensure_list(control.impacted_process))
              run(uninstall_cmd(to_uninstall["key"]))
              wait_uninstallkey_absent(to_uninstall["key"])

- For each item of the list return by installed_softwares containing keyword winscp.

- If the version is lower than the value of the control.get_software_version.

- A message is displayed to indicate which software and which version are being uninstalled.

- killalltasks(ensure_list(control.impacted_process)) stops all processes associated with the software before uninstallation. This ensures that the software is not in use.

- run(uninstall_cmd(to_uninstall[‘key’])) executes the uninstall command for the software. the wait_uninstallkey_absent function is used to ensure that the key is completely uninstalled to ensure that the software is uninstalled.

#### 4.1.6.4. Killing tasks

Command killalltasks kills all tasks with the specified name.

    killalltasks('firefox')

### 4.1.7. Using control file fields

It is possible to use control file informations on `setup.py`.

#### 4.1.7.1. Obtaining packages version

    def setup():
        print(control['version'])

Command print(control['version']) shows the version value from the `control` file.

    def setup():
        print(control['version'].split('-',1)[0])

Command print(control['version'].split('-',1)[0]) shows the software version number without the WAPT version number from the `control` file.

#### 4.1.7.2. Obtaining software title names

### 4.1.8. Managing a WAPT package with another WAPT package

#### 4.1.8.1. Installing a package

    WAPT.install('tis-scratch')

Command install installs a WAPT package on the selected computer.

#### 4.1.8.2. Removing a package

    WAPT.remove('tis-scratch')

Command remove uninstalls a WAPT package from the selected computer.

#### 4.1.8.3. Forgetting a package

    WAPT.forget_packages('tis-scratch')

Command forget_packages informs the WAPT Agent to forget a WAPT package on the selected computer.

Hint

If the desired result is to remove tis-scratch, you should either reinstall the package (`wapt-get install "tis-scratch"`) then remove it (wapt-get remove "tis-scratch"), either removing it manually from the Control Panel menu Add/ Remove Programs.

## 4.2. Improving my package

### 4.2.1. Copying a file

It is possible to configure Firefox with a `policies.json` file. See https://github.com/mozilla/policy-templates/blob/master/README.md.

This file MUST be placed in the `distribution` folder at the root of Firefox.

To help you create this `policies.json` file you can use the enterprise policy generator generator for Firefox.

When you have generated your `policies.json` file, place it in `c:\waptdev\prefix-firefox-esr-wapt\policies.json`.

The `distribution` folder at the root of Firefox may not exist, so we will test its existence and create it with the mkdirs command if it does not exist:

    if not isdir(r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution'):
        mkdirs(r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution')

Important

If you have backslashes in your path, you should always put an r in front of the string, like in the previous example.

You will also need to use the `filecopyto` function to copy the `policies.json` file:

    filecopyto('policies.json',r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution')

Hint

There is no need to put the full path for the source file since the `policies.json` file is at the root of the WAPT package, so we use the relative path.

Modify your `setup.py`:

    # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
    from setuphelpers import *

    uninstallkey = []

    def install():
        install_exe_if_needed("Firefox Setup 45.5.0esr.exe",silentflags="-ms",key='Mozilla Firefox 45.5.0 ESR (x64 fr)',min_version="45.5.0")
        remove_desktop_shortcut('Firefox')

        if not isdir(r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution'):
            mkdirs(r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution')

        filecopyto('policies.json',r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution')

Your package is now ready to apply a configuration. You can launch an installation with PyScripter and validate that the package works according to your objective.

Finally, launch your Firefox to verify that it will work for your users.

### 4.2.2. Uninstalling unwanted versions

Hint

At each step of these examples you can run an installation to test the result.

In our case we want to uninstall the non ESR version of Firefox.

We will look for the other software installed on the host to check if a non-esr version of Firefox is installed.

To reproduce our example, download and install the latest consumer version of Firefox:

- To search unwanted version of Firefox we will use the `installed_softwares` function. This function returns a dictionary list containing the software properties:

      print(installed_softwares('Firefox'))

      [
         {
       'install_date': '',
         'install_location': 'C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox',
         'key': 'Mozilla Firefox 78.7.1 ESR (x64 fr)',
         'name': 'Mozilla Firefox 78.7.1 ESR (x64 fr)',
         'publisher': 'Mozilla',
         'system_component': 0,
         'uninstall_string': '"C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox\\uninstall\\helper.exe"',
         'version': '78.7.1',
         'win64': True
       },

         {
        'install_date': '',
          'install_location': 'C:\Program Files (x86)\\Mozilla Firefox',
          'key': 'Mozilla Firefox 79.0 (x86 fr)',
          'name': 'Mozilla Firefox 79.0 (x86 fr)',
          'publisher': 'Mozilla',
          'system_component': 0,
          'uninstall_string': '"C:\Program Files (x86)\\Mozilla Firefox\\uninstall\\helper.exe"',
          'version': '79.0',
          'win64': False
        }
      ]

- Check the name of each software.

      for uninstall in installed_softwares('Mozilla Firefox'):
          print(uninstall['name'])

- Show the name of each software found.

      for uninstall in installed_softwares('Mozilla Firefox'):
          if not 'ESR' in uninstall['name']:
              print(uninstall['name'])

- Show the name of each software found which does not include the string ESR in its name and its uninstallkey.

      for uninstall in installed_softwares('Mozilla Firefox'):
          if not 'ESR' in uninstall['name']:
              print(uninstall['name'])
              print('Uninstall ' + uninstall['key'])

We will now use a WAPT trick using the uninstall_cmd function:

- Install cmd accepts an uninstall key as an argument and will send the command to run to start the silent uninstall.

      for uninstall in installed_softwares('Mozilla Firefox'):
          if not 'ESR' in uninstall['name']:
              print(uninstall['name'])
              print('Uninstall ' + uninstall['key'])
              silent_uninstall = uninstall_cmd(uninstall['key'])
              print('Run ' + silent_uninstall)

- Start the uninstallation.

      for uninstall in installed_softwares('Mozilla Firefox'):
          if not 'ESR' in uninstall['name']:
              print(uninstall['name'])
              print('Uninstall ' + uninstall['key'])
              silent_uninstall = uninstall_cmd(uninstall['key'])
              print('Run ' + silent_uninstall)
              run(silent_uninstall)

We can also uninstall the Mozilla maintenance service:

    for uninstall in installed_softwares('MozillaMaintenanceService'):
        run(uninstall_cmd(uninstall['key']))

- Finally, modify your `setup.py`:

      # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
      from setuphelpers import *

      uninstallkey = []

      def install():
          #Install firefox if necessary
          install_exe_if_needed("Firefox Setup 45.5.0esr.exe",silentflags="-ms",key='Mozilla Firefox 45.5.0 ESR (x64 fr)',min_version="45.5.0")

          #Removal of the firefox shortcut on the all user desktop
          remove_desktop_shortcut('Firefox')

          #Creation of the distribution folder if it does not exist
          if not isdir(r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution'):
              mkdirs(r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution')

          #Copy of the policies.json file found at the root of the package in the destination of the distribution folder
          filecopyto('policies.json',r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution')

          #For each Mozilla Firefox installed
          for uninstall in installed_softwares('Mozilla Firefox'):
              #If the software does not have the word ESR in the name
              if not 'ESR' in uninstall['name']:
                  print(uninstall['name'])
                  print('Uninstall ' + uninstall['key'])

                  #Looking for how we can uninstall it silently
                  silent_uninstall = uninstall_cmd(uninstall['key'])
                  print('Run ' + silent_uninstall)

                  #We launch the previous command.
                  run(silent_uninstall)

          #Uninstalling mozilla maintenance service
          for uninstall in installed_softwares('MozillaMaintenanceService'):
              run(uninstall_cmd(uninstall['key']))

Your code now handles the uninstallation of unwanted versions of Firefox.

### 4.2.3. Improving setup.py to use variables

Examples of variable usage:

    version_firefox = "45.0"

    uninstallkey = "Mozilla Firefox " + version_firefox + " ESR (x64 fr)"
    print(uninstallkey)

    uninstallkey = "Mozilla Firefox %s ESR (x64 fr)" % (version_firefox)
    print(uninstallkey)

    uninstallkey = "Mozilla Firefox {} ESR (x64 fr)".format(version_firefox)
    print(uninstallkey)

    uninstallkey = f"Mozilla Firefox {version_firefox} ESR (x64 fr)"
    print(uninstallkey)

Important

The last example is the best example but this operation only works with Python3.

We can now use variables in our `setup.py`:

>     # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
>     from setuphelpers import *

>     uninstallkey = []

>     def install():

>         version_firefox = "45.5.0"

>         #Install firefox if necessary
>         install_exe_if_needed("Firefox Setup %sesr.exe" % version_firefox,silentflags="-ms",key='Mozilla Firefox %s ESR (x64 fr)' % version_firefox,min_version=version_firefox)

>         #Removal of the firefox shortcut on the all user desktop
>         remove_desktop_shortcut('Firefox')

>         distribution_folder=r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution'

>         #Creation of the distribution folder if it does not exist
>         if not isdir(distribution_folder):
>             mkdirs(distribution_folder)

>         ... The rest of the code does not change ...

Hint

You can retrieve the version number shown in the `control` file like this:

    version_firefox = control.get_software_version()

### 4.2.4. Customizing the user environment

It is sometimes necessary to customize a software in user context to set specific settings or to comply to the Organization’s rules and preferences:

- Creating user desktop shortcut with specific arguments.

- Making changes to user Windows registry keys.

- Making changes to files, to browser settings of the user.

- Configuring shortcuts to the Organization’s set of templates for Documents, Spreadsheets or Presentations in Office Suites to encourage or insure that editorial and graphical guidelines are followed.

- Setting up the user’s email or instant messaging from the Organization’s main user data repository (LDAP directory, database, etc).

- Customizing an office suite or business software based on the Organization’s main user data repository (LDAP directory, database, etc).

The session_setup function benefits from the power of python to achieve a high level of automation.

#### 4.2.4.1. Principles of session_setup

The WAPT session_setup function is executed for each user using:

    C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\wapt-get.exe session-setup ALL

Calling that function executes the session_setup script defined within each WAPT package installed on the computer.

The WAPT Agent stores in its local database (`C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\waptpublicdb.sqlite`) the instruction sets of all WAPT packages.

Attention

The session_setup script is launched only once per WAPT package version and per user.

The WAPT Agent stores in is local `%appdata%\wapt\waptsession.sqlite` database the instances of the session_setup scripts that have been already been played.

Output example of `wapt-get session-setup ALL`:

Note

The logged in user session_setup has already previously been launched.

    wapt-get session-setup ALL

    Configuring tis-7zip ... No session-setup. Done
    Configuring tis-ccleaner ... Already installed. Done
    Configuring tis-vlc ... No session-setup. Done
    Configuring tis-tightvnc ... No session-setup. Done
    Configuring tis-paint.net ... No session-setup. Done
    Configuring wsuser01.mydomain.lan ... No session-setup. Done

#### 4.2.4.2. Using session_setup

The session_setup scripts are located in the section def session_setup() of the `setup.py` file:

Example:

    def session_setup():
      registry_setstring(HKEY_CURRENT_USER, "SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows Live\\Common",'TOUVersion','16.0.0.0', type=REG_SZ)

Attention

With session_setup, there is no possibility to call files contained inside the WAPT package.

To call external files when uninstalling, copy and paste the needed files in an external folder during the package installation process (example: `c:\cachefile`).

##### 4.2.4.2.1. Example: creating a personalized desktop shortcut

One of the possibilities offered by Setuphelpers is adding personalized shortcuts on user desktops, instead of a desktop shortcut common to all users.

For that purpose, we will use the `create_user_desktop_shortcut()` function to create shortcuts containing the username and passing a website as an argument to Firefox.

    # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
    from setuphelpers import *

    uninstallkey = []

    def install():
        install_exe_if_needed("Firefox Setup 45.5.0esr.exe",silentflags="-ms",key='Mozilla Firefox 45.4.0 ESR (x64 fr)',min_version="45.5.0")

    def session_setup():
      create_user_desktop_shortcut("Mozilla Firefox de %s" % get_current_user(),r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe',arguments="-url https://tranquil.it")

- Now start the `session-setup` directly from PyScripter.

  PyScripter - running session-setup

- Finally, check that the icon is present on the desktop.

#### 4.2.4.3. Using session_cleanup

The session_cleanup scripts are located in the section def session_setup() of the `setup.py` file:

The purpose of this function is to remove the modifications you made in the user context during the installation of your package.

To uninstall a package, you first need to uninstall it. Upon the next user login, session_setup will re-execute and apply the session_cleanup function.

##### 4.2.4.3.1. Example: removing a personalized desktop shortcut

    # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
    from setuphelpers import *

    uninstallkey = []

    def install():
        install_exe_if_needed("Firefox Setup 45.5.0esr.exe",silentflags="-ms",key='Mozilla Firefox 45.4.0 ESR (x64 fr)',min_version="45.5.0")

    def session_setup():
      create_user_desktop_shortcut("Mozilla Firefox de %s" % get_current_user(),r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe',arguments="-url https://tranquil.it")

    def session_cleanup():
      remove_user_desktop_shortcut("Mozilla Firefox de %s" % get_current_user())

In this example:

session_setup() creates a personalized desktop shortcut for the user.

session_cleanup() removes the personalized desktop shortcut when the package is uninstalled.

### 4.2.5. Using the audit functions for compliance

The audit function allows to make regular checks to desktop configurations and to centralize the results of these checks in the WAPT Console. This feature allows you to ascertain that your installed base of hosts matches your set of conformity rules over time.

For example you can:

- Regularly check the list of local administrators on the desktops.

- Ascertain over time the correct configuration of a critical software.

- Regularly check the presence of the correct version of a piece of software.

- Ascertain the security settings of a workstation.

The `audit` function benefits from the depth and the breadth of python libraries for unmatched levels of precision and finesse for your auditing needs.

#### 4.2.5.1. Working principle

The `audit` tasks are launched once after every wapt-get upgrade, then regularly as defined by the `audit_schedule` attribute.

To manually launch an audit check, you may also use the following command:

    wapt-get audit

Note

By default, the `audit` function will not launch if the audit is not necessary.

To force the execution, you may launch the following command:

    wapt-get audit -f

The `audit` script is defined in the package’s `setup.py` with a function `def audit()`:

In this example, we are improving the Firefox package previously studied in this documentation.

- Add the `audit` function in the `setup.py`.

      def audit():
          if isfile(r'C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution\policies.json'):
              print('File policies.json found')
              return "OK"
          else:
              print('File policies.json not found')
              return "ERROR"

- Start the audit from PyScripter.

- Test with the file then delete the `C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution\policies.json` file and test again with PyScripter.

You can directly see the status of the audit in the WAPT Console (Click on the package then on the audit column):

Checking an audit status in the WAPT Console

The audit function returns one of these 3 values:

- OK;

- WARNING;

- ERROR.

Attention

With the audit function, it is not possible to use files that are contained in the WAPT packages.

To use files embedded in the WAPT package that will be used for an audit, you MUST instruct to copy the file(s) to a temporary folder when the WAPT package installs.

#### 4.2.5.2. Planning an audit

The audit tasks are launched once after every upgrade, then regularly as defined with the `audit_schedule` value.

The value is contained in the `control` file of the WAPT package.

By default, if `audit_schedule` is empty, the audit task can be launched manually from the WAPT Console or be launched automatically if you have defined the option `waptaudit_task_period` in the `wapt-get.ini` of the WAPT Agent. For more information about the last method, please see this documentation.

Otherwise, the periodicity may be indicated in several ways:

- An integer (in minutes).

- An integer followed by a letter (m = minutes, h = hours , d = days , w = weeks).

#### 4.2.5.3. Default behavior of the audit function

By default, the only audit function checks the presence of UninstallKey for its WAPT package.

This way, WAPT ascertains that the software is still present on the host, according to the host configuration.

### 4.2.6. Auditing configurations to insure compliance

The `audit_data` function allows to make regular checks to desktop configurations and to centralize the results of these checks in the WAPT Console. There is historization and you can encrypt your data and decrypt it with your WAPT certificate.

For example you can:

- Change an administrator password, encrypt information and display it on your WAPT Console.

- Regularly check the modification your computer needs like CVE or GLPI inventory.

- Ascertain the security settings of a workstation and historize issues.

  The `audit_data` function is usable in the `audit` function only.

#### 4.2.6.1. Working principle

The `audit_data` functions are launched if they are defined in the `def audit()` section of the `setup.py` file.

On the server side, audit data is stored in the HostAuditData table. The content of the table can be queried using the Reporting tab in the WAPT Console. The Data is automatically purged according to expiration date. When WAPT host `update_status()` is launched, the newer audit data is sent to the WAPT Server.

On the Client side, the audit data is stored in the host database with an expiration date (date_expiration) and the max count (max_count) of the stored data is defined in the code.

In this example, we are checking public IP on the computer.

- Add the `audit_data` function inside the `audit` function in the `setup.py`.

      def audit():
        ip = wgets('https://api.ipify.org',verify_cert=False)
        print(f'My public IP address is: {ip}')
        WAPT.write_audit_data_if_changed('Public IP','log for %s' % get_computername(),ip,max_count=5)
        return 'OK'

Here are the functions related to `audit_data`:

>     def write_audit_data_if_changed(self, section, key, value, ptype=None, value_date=None, expiration_date=None, max_count=2, keep_days=None):
>     """Write data only if different from last one
>     """
>     def write_audit_data(self, section, key, value, ptype=None, value_date=None, expiration_date=None, max_count=2, keep_days=None):
>     """Stores in database a metrics, removes expired ones

>         Args:
>             section (str)
>             key (str)
>             value (any)
>             value_date
>             expiration_date (str) : expiration date of the new value
>             max_count (int) : keep at most max_count value. remove oldest one.
>             keep_days (int) : set the expiration date to now + keep_days days. override expiration_date arg if not None

>         Returns:
>             None
>     """
>     def read_audit_data(self, section, key, default=None, ptype=None):
>         """Retrieve the latest value associated with section/key from database"""

>     def read_audit_data_set(self, section, key):
>         """Retrieve all the values associated with section/key from database"""

>     def delete_audit_data(self, section, key):

>     def read_audit_data_since(self, last_query_date=None):
>         """Retrieve all the values since a date from database"""

### 4.2.7. Updating automatically a software package

Note

This part of the documentation is for advanced users of WAPT.

The `update_package` functions are very practical, they allow to gain a lot of time when needing to update a WAPT package with the most recent version of a piece of software.

#### 4.2.7.1. Working principle

The update_package function will:

- Fetch online the latest version of the software.

- Download the latest version of the software binaries.

- Remove old versions of the software binaries.

- Update the version number of the software in the `control` file.

If you base your install function on the version number inside the `control` file, then you do not even need to modify your `setup.py`.

You just have to do your usual Quality Assurance tests before you build-upload your new package.

#### 4.2.7.2. Example

Here is the update_package script for firefox-esr as an example:

    def update_package():
          import re,requests,glob

          #Retrieving the last file name
          url = requests.head('https://download.mozilla.org/?product=firefox-esr-latest&os=win64',proxies={}).headers['Location']
          filename = url.rsplit('/',1)[1].replace('%20',' ')

          #download of it if is not in the package
          if not isfile(filename):
              print('Downloading %s from %s'%(filename,url))
              wget(url,filename)

          #removing old exe with wrong name
          for fn in glob.glob('*.exe'):
              if fn != filename:
                  remove_file(fn)

          # updates control version from filename, increment package version.
          control.version = '%s-0'%(re.findall('Firefox Setup (.*)esr\.exe',filename)[0])
          control.save_control_to_wapt()

You may launch the update_package in PyScripter:

PyScripter - Running an update-package-source

You will find many inspiring examples of update_package scripts in packages hosted in the Tranquil IT store.

### 4.2.8. Deploying a portable software with WAPT

A good example of a WAPT package is a self-contained/ portable software package:

- Create the folder for the software in `C:\Program Files (x86)`.

- Copy the software in that folder.

- Create the shortcut to the application.

- Manage the uninstallation process for the application.

- Close the application if it is running.

#### 4.2.8.1. Example with ADWCleaner

First, download Adwcleaner.

You can then generate your package template, please refer to the documentation for creating packages from the WAPT Console.

The file `C:\waptdev\tis-adwcleaner-wapt` is created.

Here you will find an example of a portable package that takes almost all the WAPT functions of a `setup.py`:

    from setuphelpers import *

    uninstallkey = []

    exe_name = 'AdwCleaner.exe'
    path_adw = makepath(programfiles,'AdwCleaner')
    path_exe = makepath(path_adw,exe_name)
    nameshortcut = 'AdwCleaner'

    def install():
        mkdirs(path_adw)
        filecopyto(exe_name,path_exe)
        create_desktop_shortcut(nameshortcut,path_exe)

    def uninstall():
        remove_tree(path_adw)
        remove_desktop_shortcut(nameshortcut,path_exe)

    def audit():
        if not isfile(path_exe):
            print('File not found')
            return "OK"
        else:
            print('File Found')
            return "ERROR"

    def update_package():
        wget('https://downloads.malwarebytes.com/file/AdwCleaner',exe_name)
        control.version = get_file_properties(exe_name)['FileVersion'] + '-0'
        control.save_control_to_wapt()

### 4.2.9. Packaging Windows Update .msu packages

Hint

Pre-requisites: to build WAPT packages, the WAPT development environment MUST be installed.

Between Patch Tuesday releases, Microsoft may release additional KBs or critical updates that will need to be pushed to hosts quickly.

For that purpose, WAPT provides a package template for .msu files.

In that example, we use the KB4522355 downloaded from Microsoft Catalog website.

- Download KB4522355 MSU package from Microsoft Catalog website.

- Create a WAPT package template from the downloaded .msu file. In the WAPT Console, click on Tools ‣ Package Wizard.

  PyScripter - WAPT Console window for creating a package template

- Select the downloaded .msu package and fill in the required fields.

  Informations required for creating the MSU package

- Click on Make and edit (recommended) to launch package customization.

- WAPT package IDE is launched using the source code from the pre-defined .msu template.

- As usual with WAPT packages, test, then build, then sign, then upload and finally affect the desired WAPT packages to your selected hosts and it is done!!

- If the KB becomes bundled with the following Patch Tuesday, you can select the hosts onto which the package has been applied and forget the KB package on the hosts.

### 4.2.10. Packaging simple Linux packages

Before starting, we assume several conditions:

- You have a graphical interface on your Linux system that you use for developing and testing packages.

- You have installed the vscode package from the Tranquil IT repository.

- Your user is named linuxuser and is a member of the sudoers group.

#### 4.2.10.1. Creating a base template from you linux computer

- Start up a Command Line utility.

- As linuxuser, create a WAPT package template.

      wapt-get make-template <template_name>

  Warning

  Do not launch this command as root or with a sudo.

  When you create a template, there will be several files in the .vscode folder inside the WAPT package folder:

  - `settings.json`;

  - `launch.json`.

  Example with VLC:

      wapt-get make-template "tis-vlc"

      Using config file: /opt/wapt/wapt-get.ini
      Template created. You can build the WAPT package by launching
      /opt/wapt//wapt-get.py build-package /home/linuxuser/waptdev/tis-vlc-wapt
      You can build and upload the WAPT package by launching
      /opt/wapt//wapt-get.py build-upload /home/linuxuser/waptdev/tis-vlc-wapt

  Hint

  All WAPT packages are stored in linuxuser’s home (home of the currently logged in user).

> - VSCode loads up and opens the WAPT package project.

VSCode opening with focus on the setup file

- Check the `control` file content.

  You have to give a `description` to the WAPT package, define the `os_target` and the `version` of the WAPT package.

  Hint

  `os_target` for unix is linux.

  Warning

  The software `version` number in your `control` file MUST start at 0, and not the version number of the software title, as the version number may not be the same as displayed in the DEB / YUM repository.

  - Original `control` file.

        package           : tis-vlc
        version           : 0-0
        architecture      : all
        section           : base
        priority          : optional
        maintainer        : user
        description       : automatic package for vlc

  - Modified `control` file.

        package           : tis-vlc
        version           : 0
        architecture      : all
        section           : base
        priority          : optional
        maintainer        : Tranquil-IT Systems
        description       : VLC for linux
        target_os         : linux
        min_wapt_version  : 1.8

  Note

  It is to be noted that a sub-version -1 has been added. It is the packaging version of the WAPT package.

  It allows the WAPT package Developer to release several WAPT package versions of the same software, very useful for very rapid and iterative development.

- Make changes to the code in the `setup.py` file accordingly.

      :emphasize-lines: 8
      # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
      from setuphelpers import *

      uninstallkey = []

      def install():
          apt_install('vlc')

- Save the package.

#### 4.2.10.2. Managing the uninstallation

- Make changes to the `setup.py` file with an uninstall.

>     def uninstall():
>     apt_remove('vlc')

- Launch a remove from VSCode Run Configurations.

  After uninstallation, the software is correctly removed

- Check that the software has been correctly removed.

      dpkg -l | grep vlc

Hint

In the uninstall() function, it is not possible to call for files included inside the WAPT package. To call files from the package, it is necessary to copy/ paste the files in a temporary directory during package installation.

#### 4.2.10.3. Managing the session-setup

- Make changes to the `setup.py` file with a `session-setup`;

  In this example, we will create a file `vlcrc` by default in the user profile.

      def session_setup():
        vlcrc_content="""[qt] # Qt interface
      qt-notification=0
      qt-privacy-ask=0
      metadata-network-access=0
      """

        vlcdir = os.path.join(os.environ['HOME'], '.config', 'vlc')
        path_vlrc = makepath(vlcdir,'vlcrc')
        ensure_dir(vlcdir)
        if not isfile(path_vlrc):
            with open(makepath(vlcdir,'vlcrc')) as f:
                f.write(vlcrc_content)

- Launch a session-setup from VSCode Run Configurations.

  After uninstallation, the software is correctly removed

#### 4.2.10.4. Building and uploading the WAPT package

You will find the WAPT package in your `~/waptdev` folder.

You need to transfer the WAPT package folder to the Windows host that has the private key that you use to sign your WAPT packages.

Then, please refer to the documentation for building and uploading packages from the WAPT Console.

### 4.2.11. Encrypting sensitive data contained in a WAPT package

Warning

This part of the documentation is for advanced users of WAPT.

#### 4.2.11.1. What is the purpose for doing that?

With WAPT, the integrity of the package is ensured. A package whose content has been modified without being re-signed will systematically be refused by the WAPT client.

On the other hand, the content of a WAPT package is not encrypted and will be readable by everyone. This technical model of transparency brings nevertheless many benefits.

This can be annoying in the case of a package that contains a password, a license key, or any sensitive or confidential data.

Fortunately, we have a solution!

#### 4.2.11.2. Working principle

When a WAPT Agent registers with the WAPT Server, it generates a private key/ public certificate pair in `C:\Program Files (x86)\wapt\private`.

- The certificate is sent to the WAPT Server with the inventory when the WAPT client is first registered.

- The private key is kept by the Agent and is only readable locally by the Local Administrators.

We will therefore encrypt the sensitive data contained inside the package with the certificate belonging to the host.

During installation, the WAPT Agent will be able to decrypt the sensitive data using its private key.

With this mode of operation, the WAPT Server and secondary repositories have no knowledge of the sensitive data.

#### 4.2.11.3. Practical case

You will find here an example of a WAPT package where we encrypt a string of text in an update_package function and then decrypt this text in the install function.

In this example, the update_package function allows us to browse the WAPT Server database to retrieve the certificate from each host and then encrypt the sensitive text with it.

The encrypted text for each host is then stored in a `encrypt-txt.json` file at the root of the WAPT package.

When the WAPT package installs, the WAPT Agent will take the encrypted text and decipher it with his own private key.

You can test it by yourself by downloading the example package tis-encrypt-sample.

Attention

The python output (log install of the WAPT package) is readable by the users on the host, so you should not display the deciphered text with a print during installation.

### 4.2.12. Import a Task Schedule in a WAPT Package

WAPT often operates on the principle of recurrence, so an action like an audit is performed regularly (every two hours by default). However, this recurrence is not as precise as an order indicating that the action should be performed every day at exactly 19:00. If you want to perform an action in a very specific context, we suggest integrating a scheduled task into a WAPT package.

#### 4.2.12.1. Creating the Scheduled Task

Step 1: Open Task Scheduler

- Open Task Scheduler by searching for “Task Scheduler” in the Start menu.

- Click on “Create Task” in the right panel.

Step 2: Configure the Task

- General:

  - Name your task.

  - Select SYSTEM as the user.

  - Check “Run with highest privileges”.

- Triggers:

  - Configure the triggers according to your needs (for example, daily at 19:00).

- Actions:

  - Add the actions that the task should perform (for example, launch C:Program Files(x86)waptexit.exe).

Step 3: Export the Task

- Once the task is configured, click “OK” to save it.

- Right-click on the task in the Task Scheduler Library and select “Export”.

- Save the task in `filename.xml` format.

#### 4.2.12.2. Creating a Package Integrating a Scheduled Task

Step 1: Create a Package Template

- Go to the WAPT console and access the WAPT Packages tab.

- Generate a package template by selecting Make package template from the setup file ‣ Empty Package.

Step 2: Add the XML File

- Place the exported `filename.xml` file at the root of the package.

Step 3: Configure the Installation Script

- Open the `setup.py` file of the package.

- Add the following code, adapting the task name and the XML file name:

    # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
    from setuphelpers import *

    def install():
      run('schtasks /CREATE /RU SYSTEM /TN taskname /xml filename.xml')

    def uninstall():
      run('schtasks /DELETE /TN taskname /F')

If you want a task schedule for a wapt package you can go to Triggering the WAPT Exit utility with a scheduled task for more details.

### 4.2.13. Infrastructure as Code with Meta-Packages

Implementing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) allows you to manage and provision your infrastructure through code, rather than through manual processes. One effective way to achieve this is by using meta-packages. A meta-package is a single package that embeds all necessary components and performs actions based on a script. This approach streamlines the deployment and management of software across various machines.

Examples of Meta-Packages:

> Installing Software Based on IP Address: You can target all machines with an IP address starting with 10.10 to install specific software.

> Targeting Machines in an Organizational Unit (OU): You can focus on all machines within a particular OU to install certain packages. For example, you might want to install specific software on all Debian machines within a particular OU.

Script Examples:

Example 1: Installing Based on Machine Chassis Type

    def install():
      chassis_types = run_powershell('(Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_SystemEnclosure).ChassisTypes')
      if type(chassis_types) != list:
          chassis_types = [chassis_types]
      nomads_types = [8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 21, 24, 30, 31, 32]
      if any(chassis_type in nomads_types for chassis_type in chassis_types):
          print("Installing nomads configuration")
          WAPT.install("tis-nomads-wua-conf")
      else:
          print("Installing desktop configuration")
          WAPT.install("tis-desktop-wua-conf")

Example 2: Excluding Specific Machines from Installation

    # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
    from setuphelpers import *

    def install():
        # Do not install the package tis-package on the following machines
        excluded_machines = ['machine25.mydomain.lan', 'machine36.mydomain.lan']
        if not get_fqdn() in excluded_machines:
            WAPT.install('tis-package')

Example 3: Installing Based on Platform

    if host_info()['platform'] == 'Windows':
      WAPT.install('tis-package-for-windows')

Example 4 : Conditions for installing a CAB based on Windows versions.

    from setuphelpers import *

    def install():
    #Installation of the KB5062552 if I am on a Windows 11 22H2 below (10.0.22621.5624) or on a Windows 11 23H2 below (10.0.22631.5624).
    version_de_mon_windows = windows_version()
    if version_de_mon_windows > WindowsVersions.Windows11 :

        #Retrieve the pretty version of the Windows version.
        pretty_name = host_info()['windows_version_prettyname']

        #Construction of the expected version based on the Windows version (name).
        dict_version_pretty_name = {'22H2':"10.0.22621.5624",'23h2': "10.0.22631.5624"}

        #If we are on Windows 22H2 or 23H2.
        if pretty_name in dict_version_pretty_name:

            #calculate the expected Windows version.
            expected_version = dict_version_pretty_name[pretty_name]

            #If we are not on the expected version, then we install the KB5062552 package.
            if Version(version_de_mon_windows) < Version(expected_version):
                WAPT.install('mi-kb5062552')

Example 5 : Install 7zip if a vulnerable version is present in the software inventory.

    from setuphelpers import *

    def install():
      #Install 7zip if 7zip is already installed and its version is below 24.07.
      need_install_7zip = False
      for u in installed_softwares('7-zip'):
        if Version(u['version']) < Version('24.07'):
          need_install_7zip = True

      if need_install_7zip:
        WAPT.install('tis-7zip')

By using meta-packages and scripting, you can automate and streamline the deployment of software across your infrastructure, making it more efficient and less prone to errors.