Abstract: A software installation and semantic database validation system using custom actions is disclosed. The system includes a database engine module for maintaining a database. The database contains a custom action table, with columns in the table providing information about the action. Each row in the table represent an individual action. The system also includes an installation engine module operative to read an action value from an action column of the action row and causing an action specified by the action value to be performed by a computer. The actions can be executable programs, Dynamic Link Library modules, or script written in scripting languages such as JavaScript or Visual Basic.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method facilitating configuration management. The system includes a configuration store that stores persisted configuration and/or dependency information associated with application(s), and, a configuration service component that manages access to the configuration store. The system can further include a configuration management engine (e.g., API) that allows client application(s) to access, query and/or modify setting(s). In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, application(s) submit an XML assembly manifest which comprises: the assembly identity, the application binaries, its dependencies etc. The manifest can also include a configuration section that declaratively specifies the persisted settings for the application. The configuration section includes an XSD-based schema that defines rich types for the settings and the settings themselves, and metadata for these settings including description and default values, manageability attributes (e.g.