Laz AutoUpdate component - beta

[balazsszekely]

I'd appreciate any ideas on how the console updater can ask permission in Linux to do its stuff.  It is launched as an AsyncProcess from the component code.  I just don't have the requisite Linux knowledge to do it.
I'd like to know how to determine if the console updater has enough rights under the current useraccount (which seems to be the issue) to overwrite an executable

Just set the execution permission for the console updater with the chmod command.  Chmod will ask for credentials when needed. Like this:

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. function SetExecutePermission(const AFileName: String; var AErrMsg: String): Boolean;
2. var
3.   SL: TStringList;
4.   Process: TProcess;
5. begin
6.   Result := False;
7.   Process := TProcess.Create(nil);
8.   try
9.     Process.Executable := '/bin/chmod';
10.     Process.Parameters.Add('+X');
11.     Process.Parameters.Add(AFileName);
12.     Process.Options := Process.Options + [poWaitOnExit, poUsePipes];
13.     Process.Execute;
14.     SL := TStringList.Create;
15.     try
16.       SL.LoadFromStream(Process.Stderr);
17.       AErrMsg := Trim(SL.Text);
18.       Result := Trim(AErrMsg) = '';
19.     finally
20.       SL.Free;
21.     end;
22.   finally
23.     Process.Free;
24.   end;
25. end;
26.  
27. procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);
28. var
29.   ErrMsg: String;
30. begin
31.   if SetExecutePermission('/minesadorada/developer/updates/consoleupdater', ErrMsg) then
32.     MessageDlg('Permission successfully set.', mtInformation, [mbOk], 0)
33.   else
34.     MessageDlg('Cannot set permission. Error message: ' + ErrMsg, mtError, [mbOk], 0);
35. end;

[minesadorada]

@GetMem That's pretty much what I needed.  Thanks!

[minesadorada]

Update to V0.3.4.0

* Added functions to make and delete a desktop shortcut (Linux implementation not yet functional)
* This is to help using LAU as an installer/updater

[lainz]

Update to V0.3.4.0

* Added functions to make and delete a desktop shortcut (Linux implementation not yet functional)
* This is to help using LAU as an installer/updater

I always was looking for an online setup tool, and never find one easy to deploy (or free), so this may be the case now with your tool, the first working. Also I did a google search and I find your wiki entry, so this can be more than a simple update tool. It can be a powerfull cross platform installer tool.

[balazsszekely]

Updated in the main repository to 0.3.5.0

[minesadorada]

V0.3.5.0: Linux desktop icon creation should be working.  I need to install a proper Linux environment to test - all I have ATM is a broken Mint 32-bit installation and a LiveCD Puppy Linux 64-bit (which doesn't keep to standards)

The Tray (silent) updater seems to be working well.

Still working on the component though.

[minesadorada]

Update to V0.3.6.0

There was a bug in V0.3.5.0 Windows MakeShortcut which caused a SegFault - now fixed.

@Getmem - please use V0.3.6.0 for the repository base - it is the most stable version.

ToDo: A generic installer/updater test app which uses both SourceForge and GitHub sources.  Also UpdatePack needs a few fixes.

[balazsszekely]

@Getmem - please use V0.3.6.0 for the repository base - it is the most stable version.

Done. Now the default version is V0.3.6.0.

[minesadorada]

To V0.3.7.1

* A few tweaks to get an installer working properly (New property: WorkingMode=(lauInstall|lauUpdate)
* If the app is absent: Install it.  If the app is present or running: Update it.
* Works in Windows OK.
* Testing app in SVN (work-in-progress)

* Windows version (alpha) is here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/lazautoupdate/

[minesadorada]

To V0.3.8

* MakeShortcut now makes a menu entry as well as a desktop shortcut in Windows
* Updated Installer app (and wiki docs)
* Updated Update Pack

With Property WorkingMode, your main app can:
* Update itseslf (WorkingMode=lauUpdate)
*  (WorkingMode=lauInstall) Install other apps programmatically (perhaps via a menu) which can also update themselves (WorkingMode=lauUpdate)
* All functionality automatically updates the TrayIcon app

With the TrayIcon app:
* Runs in the background, and silently checks and updates apps on a developer/user defined schedule (daily, weekly, monthly etc)
* When an update is done via LazAutoUpdate anywhere, the TrayIcon app picks it up automatically

ToDo: Improve the updating visually with a progress bar

Available via:
 https://sourceforge.net/projects/lazautoupdate/
svn: Lazarus ccr: https://svn.code.sf.net/p/lazarus-ccr/svn/components/lazautoupdate/latest_stable
OnlinePackageManager: http://packages.lazarus-ide.org/
Wiki page: http://wiki.lazarus.freepascal.org/LazAutoUpdater

[minesadorada]

Updated Wiki with info about the Systray Updater companion app.  If you deploy an app with LazAutoUpdate consider also deploying the Systray Updater.  It will silently check for updates on a schedule and optionally silently update your app when it finds a newer version.  When an app is manually updated (via normal LazAutoUpdate), the systray app config file is automatically configured.  Runs under Windows or Linux,

It is designed for 'deploy once then forget' when run on Windows startup.

Wiki page: http://wiki.lazarus.freepascal.org/LazAutoUpdater

[mdbs99]

Hi @minesadorada

Why we have 2 options to get the sources?

1. https://sourceforge.net/projects/lazautoupdate/
2. https://svn.code.sf.net/p/lazarus-ccr/svn/components/lazautoupdate/latest_stable

Which one is official?

Thanks.

[minesadorada]

Hi @minesadorada

Why we have 2 options to get the sources?

1. https://sourceforge.net/projects/lazautoupdate/
2. https://svn.code.sf.net/p/lazarus-ccr/svn/components/lazautoupdate/latest_stable

Which one is official?

Thanks.

Hi @mdbs99,
The CCR source is the one used by Online Package Manager, my own CVS source control and has the latest code.
The sourceforge site is a mirror, and is used for LazAutoUpdate's own updater, as well as compiled versions/installers etc.

[mdbs99]

Ok, I already have CCR sources so, I'll use it.

I didn't install yet, but I have one question (forgive me if is a dumb question).
I would like to use LazAutoUpdate (LAU) this way:
I will put my binaries in my server and configure LAU to check the binaries in the program initialization. If my server has a new version, the program should advise the user (I need to configure my own message) and abort. I mean, the user is not allow to use a old version, for secure reasons.

Is it possible to use like that?

Thank you.

[minesadorada]

Ok, I already have CCR sources so, I'll use it.

I didn't install yet, but I have one question (forgive me if is a dumb question).
I would like to use LazAutoUpdate (LAU) this way:
I will put my binaries in my server and configure LAU to check the binaries in the program initialization. If my server has a new version, the program should advise the user (I need to configure my own message) and abort. I mean, the user is not allow to use a old version, for secure reasons.

Is it possible to use like that?

Thank you.

Take a look at the wiki page:
http://wiki.freepascal.org/LazAutoUpdater

There is a boolean function:

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. If LazAutoUpdate1.NewVersionAvailable then ..... else ...

which I think will suit your need.   It downloads a very small text file with the newest online version number and compares it with the VersionInfo information of your application.

If newer (returns TRUE), you can use the functions:

Code: Pascal  [Select][+][-]

1. If LazAutoUpdate1.DownloadNewVersion then LazAutoUpdate1.UpdateToNewVersion

which will overwrite the old application with the new.

Set the property ShowDialogs=False in order to have full control of the UI.