how to "push" updates to an installed java program?

[tiewknvc9]

hey thanks for checking out this post.

I have an application that I made in java, and what I would like to do
is have the application automatically check the web, and see if an
update is available for the application, then automatically install any
updates.

For instance if I had say myApp version 1.0, and on the server there is
a new version of the application myApp version 1.1, that only had minor
differences in the downloadable file, what might be the best way to
"push" the updated files onto the users computer.

Ideally an article would be a great resource for me here, as I know
that I do not simply want to download the entire application to the
users machine each time that there is an update, rather I would like to
be able to force them to download only the neccessary bits of the
program that would correctly update their application.

I am new at this whole auto-updating over the web thing, but feel that
it is necessary for this application.

Thanks for your help

 

[Homer]

I am sure there should be much easier ways these days but long time ago
(5 years) I did it for a company I was working for. What I did in that
time was to (do everything manually) put all the codes, images and
sounds (it was gambling application) into a jar file with low quality
images/sounds and not all complete class files (not everybody had
HighSpeed Internet those days). As soon as player started to play with
the game, application was connecting to the server (socket connection)
and downloading a list of files (manifest) and version numbers (small
text file) and it was checking versions to see what needs to be
downloaded and what is new. Pull those files using the same socket
connection and update the game jar file after player was exiting the
game. Next time player was running the game, game had better
images/sounds and many new games (SlotMachines). As I said there should
be some easier ways these days.

 

[Daniel Dyer]

hey thanks for checking out this post.

I have an application that I made in java, and what I would like to do
is have the application automatically check the web, and see if an
update is available for the application, then automatically install any
updates.

Have you considered Java WebStart? It should do what you need.

Dan.

 

[tiewknvc9]

I considered webstart, however I want to be able to push the files onto
the users computer as an update. I was considering the method listed
above the last comment, but also thought that at this point in time it
might just be overkill, or lack of experience that would drive me in
that direction, so I was looking for some insight for updating desktop
applications...

thanks for the help

 

[Thomas Weidenfeller]

I have an application that I made in java, and what I would like to do
is have the application automatically check the web, and see if an
update is available for the application, then automatically install any
updates.

Java Web Start

/Thomas

 

[Timo Stamm]

I considered webstart, however I want to be able to push the files onto
the users computer as an update.

In short: impossible.

The users computer would have to continuously run a server process, have
a port open and listen for update calls. You would have to know each and
every user computer, complete with IP. These requirements are
incompatible with company networks as well as with home computer setups.


In your original message, you said:

| what I would like to do is have the application automatically check
| the web, and see if an update is available for the application, then
| automatically install any updates.

You get this for free with webstart.


Timo

 

[ossareh]

I recommend Webstart too - however you might want to look at out the
azereus (http://azureus.sourceforge.net/) team do it. I've not looked
at the code myself however I know that from a client point of view the
app starts, checks a website and if there are updates lists them. You
click "OK" to download the updates and then it restarts the app for you
(that is the bit that makes me "wow").

 

[steve]

In short: impossible.

no it is not , but may be ,only if someone does not know what they are doing,
or does not have the background to do it.

The users computer would have to continuously run a server process, have
a port open and listen for update calls. You would have to know each and
every user computer, complete with IP. These requirements are
incompatible with company networks as well as with home computer setups.

no you do not.

I already do it for our staff in the office , people working at home , and
our staff that are out traveling ,as well as using it for installing the
system , by issuing the user a small "boot-strap" java program &
password.

In your original message, you said:


You get this for free with webstart.

yes you can use webstart, but it means you need a process to support it.

Timo

Steve

 

[Oliver Wong]

no it is not , but may be ,only if someone does not know what they are
doing,
or does not have the background to do it.


no you do not.

I already do it for our staff in the office , people working at home , and
our staff that are out traveling ,as well as using it for installing the
system , by issuing the user a small "boot-strap" java program &
password.

When you say "no you do not.", I'm assuming you're refuting the claim
"You would have to know each and every user computer, complete with IP."

How do you do a "push" without knowing the IP?

- Oliver

 

[Timo Stamm]

no it is not

I am sure it is, and your explanation doesn't prove me wrong. You may
not know that "push" has a very concise meaning:

| [...] distribution mechanism where content is delivered to the user at
| the behest of the content provider, rather than at the request of the
| user.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Push_media

It is the opposite of the "pull" or "poll" method, which is used by
WebStart for example.


Timo