Sitecore installation

A Sitecore site can be set up by using an .exe installer, or by manual process using a zip file. The .exe will create a site for you in IIS, copy all of the required files into the folder for the site, attach all of the databases to a SQL Server instance you specify, and update the connection strings in the ConnectionStrings.config.

The .exe is that it does not have a silent install mode, so it is less useful for automated deployments. The zip installation is a complete zip file of the website, databases, and data folders, including the database files. The zip installation provides the most flexibility for setting up your site, because it allows automation of the deployment to whatever degree you want. However, this also means that you must perform tasks such as setting up the IIS site, putting folders on the disk, placing files, deciding where the database files are placed, and setting up security.

Full details on the Sitecore 8 installation process are located at https://dev.sitecore.net/Downloads/Sitecore_Experience_Platform/8_0/Sitecore_Experience_Platform_8_0.aspx