Create Wix Bootstrapper without using Visual Studio

Question

I am working on a C# application that currently has a simple WiX installer to generate an MSI file. This application requires prerequisite software (such as the .NET Framework 4) and I would like to build a WiX Bootstrapper that will install the prereqs before installing my MSI file. I know Visual Studio has a Bootstrapper project template that is capable of creating a WiX bootstrapper executable, however I am developing with SharpDevelop 4.3.

I am wondering if there is a way to create and compile a burn bundle into a bootstrapper executable without using Visual Studio?

Answer 1

To create a Burn based bootstrapper/chainer bundle, you only need WiX v3.6+. The Bundle element in a .wxs file is the place to start. It's just like the Product element in a .wxs file is the place to start a .msi file.

Visual Studio has a bootstrapper system but it has nothing to do with Burn.