How to provide software updates

[knappster]

Hi,
I have a program that I have written and am going to put it on my website for people to use. However, I was wondering what is the best way of going about providing updates to my program? I don't want to get people to download the whole program every time I issue an update, how do you go about providing updates with just what has changed between versions?
Cheers.

[randem]

As long as you added no new references or changed the functions in a custom dll. all you need to do is re-distribute the exe or dll.

Care needs to be taken with this approach. Are you still going to have the complete install available? If so you will have to maintain two installations, one for updates and one full installation.

[RobDog888]

I would say to have the base install and have "patch" exe's to install the updated file(s). In your software have it read a file on your website that will say what is the latest version build. Your software will compare that with its own current version and can determine if it should prompt the user to update the software.

After each major/minor build release it should include all patch fixes in it so the single exe installation file will be all they need for the new release.

[knappster]

Thanks for your replies...
RobDog888, having patch exe's seems a good idea but what's the best way of making "patch" exe's?? Never really done that before so any help appreciated!

[randem]

Only include the needed components (changed and new) in the installation

[RobDog888]

What installer/packager are you using?

[knappster]

I think I'm going to have to use the one with .net as I've looked at wise and installshield but they're way too expensive... Unless you know of a cheap/free package??

[RobDog888]

The Setup Project that comes with .NET Pro and above is fine as well as the ClickOnce installer that is provided with Express.

[randem]

Look at the FAQ's, there are many installation packages that you can use there like Inno Setuo combined with Inno Script..