Creating CAB Files - Basic Components

Question

I need to build CAB files for our Windows based inventory guns. We currently use a trial version of Visual Studio 2008. I am trying to find other alternatives that are less expensive so we can purchase licensed software and document the process. Being that I am not a developer, I want to better understand how these CAB files are constructed. What are the basic components of a CAB file in this scenario? When using Visual Studio, we simply create some folders, add files and create registry entries and build the CAB. I'd like to have a better understanding of the whole process so I can learn how to build this files using either free or more affordable tools. Any links or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Answer 1

and also COMPRESS command which something like MAKECAB little brother.

Answer 2

makecab.exe, located in c:\windows\system32

Documentation on MSDN about Cabinet Format and MakeCAB