Delta Updates

[NewsArchive]

I am interested in how to do 'Delta' updates. My main app is 17mb after
compressing with SB8. It also contains a separate Run Time File Manager with
FM3 and another associated file which all use the same DB. To do a Delta
update I feel that I must FM3 enable the app so file layout upgrades are
automatic. As I have never done a delta update I am interested in how it
works with a file change with all three apps in the package requiring
changes.

The ideal would be a popup on the users pc advising a new version is
available with option to install or not. Currently our main support is with
updates and I would like to automate that where possible.

Nev

[NewsArchive]

Delta? Is there and Alpha and Beta?

Dan Scott

[NewsArchive]

Nev,

> I am interested in how to do 'Delta' updates. My main app is 17mb
> after compressing with SB8. It also contains a separate Run Time
> File Manager with FM3 and another associated file which all use
> the same DB. To do a Delta update I feel that I must FM3 enable
> the app so file layout upgrades are automatic. As I have never
> done a delta update I am interested in how it works with a file
> change with all three apps in the package requiring changes.
>
> The ideal would be a popup on the users pc advising a new version
> is available with option to install or not. Currently our main
> support is with updates and I would like to automate that where
> possible.

Delta updates (binary patches) add an extra level of complexity to your
deployment strategy. See "Delta Updates" in the SetupBuilder manual.

Instead of creating an installation that contains all of the files in your
application, you can create a self-installing (delta) patch file that will
update an existing installation. This is an excellent way to distribute
updates on diskette or via the Internet, because it reduces the size of the
distribution file. Distributing patches also provides security, because the
patch cannot be installed by anyone who doesn't have the prior version
installed.

Sometimes, you can save up to 97% of bandwidth compared to a full update.
But the question becomes whether it is really worth the extra work. Two of
our larger customers save 75TB per month with binary delta updates and in
this case it is worth it. If you only save a few GB, I would not do it.

First, specify the new files in the Source Filename field, just as you would
to create a complete installation. Next, specify each of the prior versions
you want to patch. Complete the installation settings as you would for a
full installation, and SetupBuilder will generate a patch EXE that will
patch any of the prior versions you've specified.

But again, you need a well-thought-out deployment strategy to support delta
updates.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

--Helping You Build Better Installations
--SetupBuilder "point. click. ship"
--Create Windows 8 ready installations in minutes
--Official Comodo Code Signing and SSL Certificate Partner

[NewsArchive]

Ahhh, Delta updates

Dan Scott

[NewsArchive]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYSG8AQO3tw

Jeff Slarve
www.jssoftware.com
www.twitter.com/jslarve
I'll search help files & Google for you.

[NewsArchive]

LOL, I thought of exactly that scene when I saw Dan's post. That's
disturbing. ;)

Ramón Reed

[NewsArchive]

Ahhh, bok

Dan Scott

[NewsArchive]

Yeah! Delta is known to me as a great singer. See her on The Voice
Australia.

Friederich, many thanks for the comments. I read them in SB8 overnight and
decided it is not worth the effort.

Nev