live update program

Calling for some programmer help..... I have a cd of utilities I use for clients for combating all kinds of different problems (spyware/adaware, virus, networking...etc). Now there are other ppl I work with that use this cd too.... I am looking for away that we can have the basic cd stored on the hard drive in a specific folder and then i want a program that will connect to a specified web address and check against a file for updates and then download only the updates needed.,.. Just like adaware and spybot and norton do with their live update features. I am not sure what to program this with or if there are already free versions of a program like this out there. Any help as to where I can start looking would be greatly appreciated.

When the updater connected to the server it chechks the files for updates (by Data field). If the are new the updater download and install them. For more PM me.




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I have looked at open source addin components (dll, com, activeX) that allow for easy tcpip
socket programming. Combine this with code that compares versioning information from files to support LiveUpdating, and should do what your wanting. Maybe search for "Winsock" or "Dart tcp/ip" for some basic addins for the network part. A program to check the version of files to see if they need updating shouldn't be hard to write. It will most surely use a database on the client to catalog and send any file info that is need by the server.

What languages have you considered writing it in?

A fairly simple program that connects to the server and reads a text file with the versions present on the server should be sufficient. It then compares these versions with a text file present on the client, downloads the latest updates and updates the client's copy of the file to include the new versions. As for the server, you might consider using an FTP server of some sort since the code for FTP clients is widely available.

Cheers,
cgkanchi

I am not sure what language I will do it in, I only know basics about programming but Im sure ill learn whatever I need to know about whatever language to get the job done.... any recommendation??

It has good components for borland c++ builder ... just google for them ... web updater ot something simillar.

Most of time, handling the low-level tpcip stuff is a real pain.The good thing about most component addins is that they handle the basic communication stuff and you can use 'em with just about everything, C++, .NET, ..VB,...ect. I'd have to say go with c++.net if your familiar with it. VB would also do a decent job. IF your really new to programming, I would think about using a scripting language like javascript. Using objects or activex you can pretty much code anything nowadays in script, and it's easy to learn and write. One more thing...in chkanchi's post he mentioned FTP. Using other protocols for transfering your patch files might be a good idea. It really just depends on what your trying to do. hope this helps...

Take a look at the link below, you may find it of interest.

http://liveupdate.openwares.org/

Taken from the page.

Quote:

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Software developers who want to add "update from web" capability to their software will love this free developers' tool. Using LiveUpdate you can add a professional web based updating system to your software in about the time it takes to have a coffee. LiveUpdate is a "must have" tool for any designer, developer, or programmer who is serious about the evolution of their software. With just a few clicks, users can find out whether a new version of your product is available, download it, and install it automatically. Or configure your software to launch LiveUpdate silently whenever your software it is opened, notifying users as soon as a new update is available.

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Whilst this is for developers who want to add live update to there own applications, you may be able to find some inspiratrion further ideas from it??

If you still want to code it after reading jinxy's post, I'd suggest going with C++ or some variant (Visual C++, Visual C++.NET or Borland C++ Builder). C++ with the winsock libraries should be more than enough for you to accomplish the task. Another thing you might want to do is take a look at the source code for a simple FTP client. Take a look at the source for one of these:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/flipftp/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/simpleftp/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ubftp/


Cheers,
cgkanchi