Automatic update of a starpack from itself

[Jens Haines]

Hi everyone,

I have a common problem. I have some Tcl-Tools which I deliver using a
windows starpack. Now I want to implement an automatic update facility.
The programm should look at a special place (a ftp server or something
like that) if there is a newer version available. If that is the case
the starpack should download the latest version and install it.

This includes to overwrite the existing exe-file (the starpack) which is
running at that point. Is there any possibility to do this? Or do I have
to use some kind of work around (like a batch file or something like that)?

I didn't find anything helpfull on that topic. Appreciate your help.

Many Thanks,
Jens

[schlenk]

On Jan 29, 3:02 pm, Jens Haines <bubblegumtr...@arcor.de> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a common problem. I have some Tcl-Tools which I deliver using a
> windows starpack. Now I want to implement an automatic update facility.
> The programm should look at a special place (a ftp server or something
> like that) if there is a newer version available. If that is the case
> the starpack should download the latest version and install it.
>
> This includes to overwrite the existing exe-file (the starpack) which is
> running at that point. Is there any possibility to do this?

No. Windows-feature, you cannot write to a running exe or delete it.
(unless you do pretty hacky undocumented stuff to get at the raw
handles and close them or use the rootkit style features
of Hotpatching that MS uses to update its servers without restart.)

> Or do I have
> to use some kind of work around (like a batch file or something like that)?

Yes, a batch file that does the rename, restart cycle would work.

You have other options though, if your not fixed on using a starpack
but would be able to use two files instead of just one.
There is the starsync app that does differential updates to a starkit,
so you could simply use that and do differential, transactional
updates to your app instead of forcing a full new download. Full new
download would only be needed if you wanted to upgrade the basekit/
tclkit/dxqkit used by your app.

See http://www.equi4.com/wikis/equi4/264

Michael