Downloader and Install files from the WEB (Like the Windows Updates)
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Downloader and Install files from the WEB (Like the Windows Updates) Hi everybody. I'm trying to create a web application with C#.net or C++ like the (windows updates from Microsoft) to let the customer of our company download automatically our executables files from the web and also let the web app automatically the install those files on their computers. If somebody has any idea of how to do it or any source code about it, I’d appreciate. Thanks Ali Hidalgo
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Downloader and Install files from the WEB (Like the Windows Updates) Hi everybody. I'm trying to create a web application with C#.net or C++ like the (windows updates from Microsoft) to let the customer of our company download automatically our executables files from the web and also let the web app automatically the install those files on their computers. If somebody has any idea of how to do it or any source code about it, I’d appreciate. Thanks Ali Hidalgo
I would suggest that you abandon the idea of doing it from your browser (the way that win update does). Just a few of the reasons that this is a bad idea are: * Most network admins have disabled installation of the applet you would need for this. * In order for the applet to install securely you would need to purchase a certificate from a certificate authority (a fairly expensive proposition considering the alternative is free) * C++ is completely incapable of doing this unless you develop it using a plug-in (which is a very difficult way of doing such a simple thing). C# and Java are both too limited when ran as applets to make the possibly needed registry changes. * Even if you got past all of this, it is still far more inconvienent for the user to go find your download section of the website than it is for them to select an option in the menu of the prog they are already using. * An application can be setup to automaticaly check for newer versions without the user needing to bother with it. The better way to handle this problem is by using either C# or C++ to write a seperate app that simply downloads the files into the correct directories and makes any registry changes needed. This application will follow this basic program flow: 1. Check FTP server for newer version of the installation file. A good way to do this is to use a specific file naming convention and comparing that to a set of variables in the main app (in .NET apps this is already availible through the App object). These can be sent to the updater app via the command line, DDE or OLE (whatever you are most comfortable with). 2. If newer file is found, then download. 3. After download completes close any running instances of the main app and run the install app you just downloaded. If you don't want the user to see an installation wizard each update...you could make your own installation routines that does the same things as an instalation wizard but this will be more difficult for you and only save the user a few occasional clicks. Technically, you should have it first uninstall the old version before installing the new but if you don't do that, it shouldn't cause too many problems as long as you don't register the prog each update. Depending on which installer you are using their should be some way to set that.