Window Application Auto Update

Not Like a web application that is always up to date.  A window application execution file placed in local computer.  Anytime there is a newer application version, the old execution file placed in local computer must be replaced with the new one.

In many cases, programmer needs to update application in user computer.  For instance in order to implement new menus, fixing bug or etc.

Imagine if there are hundreds of computers in the company.  It can be very difficult for the IT staff to update all computers every time newer version application released.  And it can be disaster for the company if not all users get the newest version of the application.

Auto Update Application

The problem above can be resolved by making an auto update application.

The idea is very simple. 

            Every time an application in local computer started, the application must read Local Application Version that is stored in local computer and then compared it with Server Application Version.  If they both have different version, an application will start automatically to download newest version in a predefined server.  The following flowchart describes the process.

How The Newest Application Should be Placed?

• Server Folder, Newest Application stored in a server folder.  All users must have an access to read this Folder.  Therefore this folder must be shared to all users.  With this choice, virus attacked must be considered very carefully since the folder is shared.
• Server Database, Newest Application stored in a table of database in server computer.  I like this choice, since there is no shared folder is necessary, therefore a virus attacked is not possible.

Three applications must be developed to Implement the idea, those are :

1. Uploader Application, is application that is used by programmer to upload Newest Version Application to the Application Server.
2. Downloader Application, is application that is used by users to download Newest Version Application from the Application Server
3. Application to be run, is application to be run by users. For Example Product Warehouse Management System, Finance Information System, Human Resource Information System etc.