UpdaterApp - a Library for Easy Update





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This article explains an easy method to download and update your WinForms application
Introduction
Whenever we develop software, we need automatic updating. This allows the developer to take advantage of automatic resources through an open source library developed 100% in VB.NET and can be used in C # and other languages.
So in this article, I propose a library (.dll), which is based on the AntSoft Systems On Demand (ASUpdater) library (I am licensed to distribute this code because I am the author of it and CEO of the company).
Requirements
- .NET Framework 4.5 or higher
System.Windows.Forms
System.Reflection
System.Xml
System.Security.Cryptography
System.ComponentModel
System.Drawing
Code of the Library
Module
The module has basic and common library functions, as well as application information such as Path
, Title
, and Versions
.
In this module, we have the variables, which will receive the application data and the functions UrlExist
, GotInternet
, CreateHashPure
, GetMd5Hash
and sub
MainLib
.
Public Function UrlExist (ByVal sUrl As String)
: Check if the URL exists and return a boolean. You must also enter the path with the file to be downloaded.GotInternet()
: Checks if computer is connected to the network. The function returns a Boolean response.CreateHashPure(ByVal sString As String, Optional iSize As Integer = 32)
: Create MD5 Hash.sString
. Enter the variable you want to encrypt in MD5.iSize
: Enter the size you want to return encryption in MD5, maximum size is 32.
The function returns a
String
response.GetMd5Hash(ByVal md5Hash As MD5, ByVal input As String)
: The function return aString
response.MainLib()
. Load the information of the Application on Start.
In module mMain
, we have the following code:
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Net
Imports System.Xml
Imports System.Text
Imports System.Text.RegularExpressions
Imports System.Security.Cryptography
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Drawing
Module mMain
Public sPath As String 'Application Path
Public sTitle As String 'Application Title
Public sVerActual As String 'Actual Application Major Version with format 1
Public sVerActualSimp As String 'Actual Application Version with simple format 1.0
'Sets the Update Version to the Application version,
'but in the future, the version will receive information from the configuration file,
'which is on the server hosting the new version installation file.
Public sVerUpdate As FileVersionInfo = _
FileVersionInfo.GetVersionInfo(Application.ExecutablePath)
Public sVersion As String
Public PicUpdateImg As System.Drawing.Image
Public PicAboutImg As System.Drawing.Image
Public LibUpdate As New Updater
Public Sub MainLib()
'Check if Application path is Root Drive e has or not
If Application.StartupPath.EndsWith("\") Then
sPath = Application.StartupPath
Else
sPath = Application.StartupPath & "\"
End If
'Load to PicUpdateImg (Image Object) the resource image file
PicUpdateImg = My.Resources.ASSUpdater
'Load to PicAboutImg (Image Object) the resource image file
PicAboutImg = My.Resources.ASSUpdaterAbout
'Load the necessary info to run this application
With My.Application.Info
sTitle = .ProductName.ToString & " v" & .Version.Major & "." & .Version.Minor
sVerActual = .Version.Major.ToString
sVerActualSimp = String.Format("{0}.{1}", _
.Version.Major.ToString, .Version.Minor.ToString)
sVersion = String.Format("Versão {0}", My.Application.Info.Version.ToString)
End With
End Sub
''' <summary>
''' Check if URL exists and return a boolean
''' </summary>
''' <param name="sUrl">Enter the URL you want to check for.
''' The URL must be complete, including the name of the file to download.</param>
''' <returns>A boolean response</returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Function UrlExist(ByVal sUrl As String) As Boolean
Dim fileUrl As Uri = New Uri(sUrl)
Dim req As System.Net.WebRequest
req = System.Net.WebRequest.Create(sUrl)
Dim resp As System.Net.WebResponse
Try
resp = req.GetResponse()
resp.Close()
req = Nothing
Return (True)
Catch ex As Exception
req = Nothing
Return False
End Try
End Function
''' <summary>
''' Checks if computer is connected to network
''' </summary>
''' <returns>Boolean Response</returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Function GotInternet() As Boolean
Try
Return My.Computer.Network.IsAvailable
Catch weberrt As WebException
Return False
Catch except As Exception
Return False
End Try
End Function
''' <summary>
''' Create MD5 Hash
''' </summary>
''' <param name="sString">Enter the variable you want to encrypt in MD5</param>
''' <param name="iSize">Enter the size you want to return encryption in MD5,
''' maximum size is 32</param>
''' <returns></returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Function CreateHashPure(ByVal sString As String, _
Optional iSize As Integer = 32) As String
Using md5Hash As MD5 = MD5.Create()
Dim hash As String = GetMd5Hash(md5Hash, sString)
hash = Left(hash, iSize)
Return LCase(hash)
End Using
End Function
''' <summary>
''' Function to Create MD5 Hash, with base the set information
''' </summary>
''' <param name="md5Hash">A MD5 Hash created</param>
''' <param name="input">Input string</param>
''' <returns>Return string response</returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Function GetMd5Hash(ByVal md5Hash As MD5, ByVal input As String) As String
' Convert the input string to a byte array and compute the hash.
Dim data As Byte() = md5Hash.ComputeHash(Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(input))
' Create a new Stringbuilder to collect the bytes
' and create a string.
Dim sBuilder As New StringBuilder()
' Loop through each byte of the hashed data
' and format each one as a hexadecimal string.
Dim i As Integer
For i = 0 To data.Length - 1
sBuilder.Append(data(i).ToString("x2"))
Next i
' Return the hexadecimal string.
Return sBuilder.ToString()
End Function 'GetMd5Hash
End Module
Class
The library has a class named Updater.vb. In this module class, many functions are implemented. This is the heart of the Library, with Functions, Subs and Property. The most important function, which the other, maybe is CheckNewVersion()
, which checks if there is a new version to download and returns a boolean response. With base in this response, it's possible to know if the application needs the update.
Other functions and property, as well as Sub
s, are important because they are part of the library, but they complement other Function
s or even Sub
s. Below is the commented and complete code of the Class
, so that the developer can better understand it.
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Reflection
Imports System.Xml
Imports System.IO
Public Class Updater
'Define the variables that received values to use by Application
Private _versionapp As String
Private _codeapp As String
Private _nameapp As String
Private _urlconfig As String
Private sNewVersion As String, sDescUpdate As String, sDateUpdate As String
'Create a Check Update Response for decision making
Public Enum CheckResponse
res_empty = 0
res_noupdate = 1
res_update = 2
res_erro = 3
End Enum
Public Sub New()
MainLib()
End Sub
''' <summary>
''' After check if has a new version to download, the Library showing a message
''' </summary>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Sub AppUpdate()
Dim frm As New frmUpdateDesc 'create a new instance of frmUpdateDesc
'Show the information about
frm.wbDescription.DocumentText = My.Resources.HTMLStart & _
"<h4>A new version is available for download.</h4>" &
"<p>Version: " & sNewVersion & "<br/>" &
"Date: " & sDateUpdate & "</p>" &
"<div>Description: " & sDescUpdate & "</div>" &
"<p>You want to get the new version now?<br/>" &
"To start the download, click the Download button.!</p>" & My.Resources.HTMLEnd
frm.ShowDialog()
End Sub
''' <summary>
''' Displays information obtained in the CheckNewVersion function.
''' </summary>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Sub CheckUpdate()
'check new update
Dim CheckUpdataRes As CheckResponse = CheckNewVersion()
If CheckUpdataRes = CheckResponse.res_update Then 'check new update
AppUpdate() 'show update form
ElseIf CheckUpdataRes = CheckResponse.res_noupdate Then
MessageBox.Show("Your software has the latest version and is up to date!", _
sTitle, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information)
ElseIf CheckUpdataRes = CheckResponse.res_empty Then 'check new update
Exit Sub
ElseIf CheckUpdataRes = CheckResponse.res_erro Then 'check new update
MessageBox.Show("Could not check for update!", sTitle, _
MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error)
Else
MessageBox.Show("Error!", sTitle, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error)
End If
End Sub
''' <summary>
''' Check Online Version
''' </summary>
''' <returns>Return A Enum a CheckResponse Value</returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Function CheckNewVersion() As CheckResponse
Dim PathTemp As String
PathTemp = System.IO.Path.GetTempPath()
Try
'Allows you to verify that all required Properties have been set
'so that the library can check for a new update version.
'Check ULRConfig
If String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(URLConfig) Then
MessageBox.Show("You must specify the configuration file path to check _
for update!", sTitle, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information)
Return CheckResponse.res_empty
End If
'Check VersionApp
If String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(VersionApp) Then
MessageBox.Show("Application version must be specified to check _
for update!", sTitle, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information)
Return CheckResponse.res_empty
End If
'Check NameApp
If String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(NameApp) Then
MessageBox.Show("You must specify the application name to check _
for updates.!", sTitle, MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information)
Return CheckResponse.res_empty
End If
'Check if computer is connected a Network
If GotInternet() = False Then
MessageBox.Show("Unable to check software update. _
No Internet connection verified!", sTitle, _
MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Exclamation)
Return False
End If
'Allows you to check if the given URL is true or if the given file exists
'on the server
If UrlExist(URLConfig) = True Then
'Checks if Config file exists
If File.Exists(PathTemp & My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml") _
Then File.Delete(PathTemp & My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml")
'Starts configuration file download by saving to computer Temp folder
My.Computer.Network.DownloadFile(URLConfig, PathTemp & _
My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml")
'Start reading configuration information
GoTo InitialDld
Else
Return CheckResponse.res_erro
End If
InitialDld:
Clipboard.SetText(PathTemp & My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml")
'Checks if the configuration file was successfully obtained
If System.IO.File.Exists(PathTemp & My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml") Then
Dim dom As New XmlDocument()
'Read information from the configuration file to pass to variables,
'allowing the library to tell if there is a need to update
dom.Load(PathTemp & My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml")
'Load Version Info
Dim sVer As String = dom.SelectSingleNode("//Info/Version").InnerText
'Load Date Info
Dim sDate As String = dom.SelectSingleNode("//Info/Date").InnerText
'Load File download (Install file) Info
Dim sFileDld As String = dom.SelectSingleNode("//Info/Filename").InnerText
'Load Description Info
Dim sDescription As String = _
dom.SelectSingleNode("//Info//Description").InnerText
'Compares the current version of the application
'to the obtained version through the configuration file.
'If the server version is larger then upgrade is enabled,
'if false reports no need for upgrade
If sVerUpdate.FileVersion.ToString < sVer Then
sNewVersion = sVer
sDescUpdate = sDescription
sDateUpdate = sDate
LibUpdate.NameApp = NameApp
LibUpdate.VersionApp = VersionApp
LibUpdate.URLConfig = URLConfig
Return CheckResponse.res_update
Else
Return CheckResponse.res_noupdate
End If
Else
Return CheckResponse.res_erro
End If
Catch ex As Exception
MessageBox.Show("Error: " & ex.Message & vbNewLine & vbNewLine & _
"StackTrace: " & ex.StackTrace, sTitle, MessageBoxButtons.OK, _
MessageBoxIcon.Stop)
Return CheckResponse.res_erro
Finally
End Try
End Function
''' <summary>
''' Get Library Assembly Version
''' </summary>
''' <returns>Return String Value</returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Function LibVersion() As String
Dim assy As System.Reflection.Assembly = GetType(Updater).Assembly
Dim assyName As String = assy.GetName().Name
'AssemblyTitle
Dim attr As Attribute = Attribute.GetCustomAttribute( _
assy, GetType(AssemblyTitleAttribute))
Dim adAttr As AssemblyTitleAttribute = _
CType(attr, AssemblyTitleAttribute)
Return String.Format("{0}", GetType(Updater).Assembly.GetName().Version)
End Function
''' <summary>
''' Get Library Assembly Name (Title) and Version
''' </summary>
''' <returns>Return String Value</returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Function LibNameVersion() As String
Dim assy As System.Reflection.Assembly = GetType(Updater).Assembly
Dim assyName As String = assy.GetName().Name
'AssemblyTitle And AssemblyVersion
Dim attr As Attribute = Attribute.GetCustomAttribute( _
assy, GetType(AssemblyTitleAttribute))
Dim adAttr As AssemblyTitleAttribute = _
CType(attr, AssemblyTitleAttribute)
Return String.Format("{0} v{1}", adAttr.Title, _
GetType(Updater).Assembly.GetName().Version)
End Function
''' <summary>
''' Get Library Assembly Description
''' </summary>
''' <returns>Return String Value</returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Function LibDescription() As String
Dim assy As System.Reflection.Assembly = GetType(Updater).Assembly
Dim assyName As String = assy.GetName().Name
'AssemblyDescriptionAttribute
Dim attr As Attribute = Attribute.GetCustomAttribute( _
assy, GetType(AssemblyDescriptionAttribute))
Dim adAttr As AssemblyDescriptionAttribute = _
CType(attr, AssemblyDescriptionAttribute)
Return String.Format("{0}", adAttr.Description)
End Function
''' <summary>
''' Get Library Assembly Name (Title)
''' </summary>
''' <returns>Return String Value</returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Function LibName() As String
Dim assy As System.Reflection.Assembly = GetType(Updater).Assembly
Dim assyName As String = assy.GetName().Name
'AssemblyTitleAttribute
Dim attr As Attribute = Attribute.GetCustomAttribute( _
assy, GetType(AssemblyTitleAttribute))
Dim adAttr As AssemblyTitleAttribute = _
CType(attr, AssemblyTitleAttribute)
Return String.Format("{0}", adAttr.Title)
End Function
''' <summary>
''' Get Library Assembly Copyright
''' </summary>
''' <returns>Return String Value</returns>
''' <remarks></remarks>
Public Function LibCopyright() As String
Dim assy As System.Reflection.Assembly = GetType(Updater).Assembly
Dim assyName As String = assy.GetName().Name
'AssemblyCopyrightAttribute
Dim attr As Attribute = Attribute.GetCustomAttribute( _
assy, GetType(AssemblyCopyrightAttribute))
Dim adAttr As AssemblyCopyrightAttribute = _
CType(attr, AssemblyCopyrightAttribute)
Return String.Format("{0}", adAttr.Copyright)
End Function
''' <summary>
''' Set and Get Application Version
''' </summary>
''' <returns>Return string Value</returns>
Public Property VersionApp() As String
Get
Return _versionapp
End Get
Set(value As String)
_versionapp = value
End Set
End Property
''' <summary>
''' Set and Get Application Name
''' </summary>
''' <returns>Return string Value</returns>
Public Property NameApp() As String
Get
Return _nameapp
End Get
Set(value As String)
_nameapp = value
End Set
End Property
''' <summary>
''' Set and Get URL of the XML File configuration and information
''' </summary>
''' <returns>Return string Value</returns>
Public Property URLConfig() As String
Get
Return _urlconfig
End Get
Set(value As String)
_urlconfig = value
End Set
End Property
End Class
Configuration XML File Structure
The structure of the XML file is important so that the library and its CheckNewVersion ()
function can read the information correctly and then pass the library variables, which will process the information and decide whether or not to update the software.
Below, we provide the structure of XML, which may have the name the developer wants, but it is recommended to be the same as AssemblyName
, to facilitate the update management process if this library is used in multiple projects.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<!--Arquivo de Atualização do Software Appsetup v1.0-->
<!--Date in US Format or in Your Region Format-->
<Application>
<Info>
<Version>1.1.1.0321</Version>
<Date>27/09/2019</Date>
<Filename>http://antsoft.com.br/appsetup.exe</Filename>
<Description>
System Update Tool Improvement.
</Description>
<copyright>Copyright © 2019, AntSoft Systems On Demand</copyright>
</Info>
</Application>
Forms
The three forms in the library project are in the code available for download and will not be discussed in the article, since it is simple to understand because the code is all commented. Just note that in the form, there is a sub
named UpdateService()
, which is the core of the form, because this Sub
is that, after checking the need for update, the library will download the configuration file in XML and after the installation file, which should preferably be exe or msi extension.
The following are the images of the two library forms. The first image is the Update Description Form, the second image is the Update Form, where the installation file will be obtained and then run to install the new version. In the example, the update file is not found because it is a demo.
In the frmUpdater Form
, the Sub
UpdateService()
has an important point to explain, as it allows a better understanding of the developer:
Public Sub UpdateService()
'Clear All items on Listview
lvwUpdate.Items.Clear()
'Add new item on ListView
lvwUpdate.Items.Add("Starting the upgrade", 3)
Try
'Allows you to add two new Handles to allow you to generate file
'download progress and completion
AddHandler wc.DownloadProgressChanged, AddressOf OnDownloadProgressChanged
AddHandler wc.DownloadFileCompleted, AddressOf OnFileDownloadCompleted
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("Checking for new version online...")
'Checks if Config file exists
If File.Exists(PathTemp & My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml") _
Then File.Delete(PathTemp & My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml")
'Get Config File
My.Computer.Network.DownloadFile(UpdaterApp.LibUpdate.URLConfig, _
PathTemp & My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml")
If File.Exists(PathTemp & My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml") Then
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("Valid update found ...", 2)
Else
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("Update not verified or process failed!", 1)
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("Try again!", 1)
Exit Sub
pBar.Visible = False
End If
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("Starting version checking ...")
Dim dom As New XmlDocument()
'Read information from the configuration file to pass to variables,
'allowing the library to tell if there is a need to update
dom.Load(PathTemp & My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml")
'Load Version Info
sNewVersion = dom.SelectSingleNode("//Info/Version").InnerText
'Load Date Info
Dim sDate As String = dom.SelectSingleNode("//Info/Date").InnerText
'Load File download (Install file) Info
Dim sFileDld As String = dom.SelectSingleNode("//Info/Filename").InnerText
'Get only filename of the URL Path
Dim sFileTmp As String = System.IO.Path.GetFileName(sFileDld)
sFileExec = System.IO.Path.GetFileName(sFileDld)
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("Current version: " & sVerUpdate.FileVersion, 5)
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("Downloadable Version: " & sNewVersion, 5)
If sVerUpdate.FileVersion.ToString < sNewVersion Then
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("Starting the update file download.", 3)
'Checks if Install File exists, if true Delete
If System.IO.File.Exists(PathTemp & "\" & sFileTmp) Then _
Kill(PathTemp & "\" & sFileTmp)
If UrlExist(sFileDld) = True Then
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("Downloading the installation file...")
'Start download of the Install file setup
wc.DownloadFileAsync(New Uri(sFileDld), PathTemp & "\" & sFileTmp)
Else
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("Setup file not found!", 1)
pBar.Visible = False
Exit Sub
End If
Else
'Add new item on ListView
AddTextlvw("No need to update.", 4)
pBar.Visible = False
btnAbout.Enabled = True
End If
Catch ex As Exception
'Add new item on ListView
MessageBox.Show("Unable to update software. Error: " & vbNewLine & _
ex.Message, sTitle, _
MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Exclamation)
AddTextlvw("Error trying to verify update.", 1)
pBar.Visible = False
End Try
End Sub
Call UpdateApp Library
To call the new version, check function and then start the download if there is a new version available. It is very simple and done in a few command lines. You must reference the UpdateApp
Library in the project references.
In a form, you need to enter the following command lines:
Public Class Form1
Dim LibUpdater As New UpdaterApp.Updater
Private Sub Button1_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) _
Handles Button1.Click, LinkLabel1.Click
With LibUpdater
'Change this URL to the path where your configuration file is hosted in XML format.
.URLConfig = "http://www.antsoft.com.br/CPTests/UpdateApp/" & _
My.Application.Info.AssemblyName & ".xml"
'Application Name
.NameApp = My.Application.Info.ProductName
'Application Version in String Format
.VersionApp = My.Application.Info.Version.ToString
'Call the CheckUpdate Function
.CheckUpdate()
End With
End Sub
End Class
Points of Interest
With the above code, it is possible to check a simple, yet efficient way to check for new updates of your application and it can make it easy for all your customers to get news and make it easy to maintain your software, thus optimizing time and allowing more time to devote to developing new versions.
History
This code is the release version.