Auto download latest version of application

Question

0.00/5 (No votes)

See more:

Hi
I have a Win Forms app running on about 15 desktops. Users all have a Desktop shortcut to the myProgram.exe Updates involve going to each station and dropping the new exe on the station. App connects to a SQL server DB

What I would like to do is put the latest version of the app in a table in the DB, and a copy of the new version in a folder on the network somewhere and then use some sort of start-up app that checks the DB, and if the app is not the latest version, fetch the newest version of the exe from the server and run it. I dont want to have to rename the desktop shortcut, so would like to keep the myProgram.exe filename the same. I use a config file with the app for some user settings, so could put some info on the version in there, and update the config file each time a new versions is downloaded from the server?

I assume I need to write a new app to check the db, do the download (if needed) and then start the myProgram?

Can anyone offer some examples of the best way to do this?

Posted 3-May-13 16:31pm

Richard.Berry100

Add a Solution

3 solutions

Solution 1

There are most likely many ways to do this. You can place the new version(installer) on a server, where it can be downloaded with a small app for updating. The database is a great way to hold the version and the app can check this version. I typically set the app version same as update version that way the program can check it's version with the database - if it's not the same launch the updater app, download and run it.

Posted 3-May-13 17:56pm

Idle_Force

Solution 3

Quote:
What you describe sounds like a good fit

That's a perfect fit! This could have saved me LOTS of trouble with Dot Net Frameworks etc :)

Thanks a Mil

Posted 3-May-13 22:27pm

Richard.Berry100

Add a Solution

Add your solution here

Treat my content as plain text, not as HTML

Preview 0

…

Existing Members

Sign in to your account

...or Join us

Download, Vote, Comment, Publish.

Your Email
Password
Forgot your password?

Your Email
This email is in use. Do you need your password?
Optional Password

I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Please subscribe me to the CodeProject newsletters

When answering a question please:

Read the question carefully.
Understand that English isn't everyone's first language so be lenient of bad spelling and grammar.
If a question is poorly phrased then either ask for clarification, ignore it, or edit the question and fix the problem. Insults are not welcome.
Don't tell someone to read the manual. Chances are they have and don't get it. Provide an answer or move on to the next question.

Let's work to help developers, not make them feel stupid.

This content, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

Steve44 · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-03T18:01:00

Did you take a look at ClickOnce deployment? What you describe sounds like a good fit for a central deployment on a network share. Everytime the application starts it checks the network share for a newer version and updates the local copy if available.

Take a look here:
ClickOnce Security and Deployment[^]

However this is not driven by the database, but by updating the deployment on the network share.