Updater plugin discussion thread

[sje]

Automatic updates for miranda plugins and language packs.

This plugin will detect, download, and install updates for plugins and language packs on the Miranda File Listing that follow the rules which follow.

For plugins:
- plugin name in options->plugins must match the name on the file listing (i.e. PLUGININFO shortName field - comparison is NOT case sensitive since 0.1.5.0)
- plugin version on the file listing must match the x.x.x.x format, where the x's are numbers between 0 and 255 inclusive (i.e. PLUGININFO version field)

For language packs:
- file name must be 'langpack_<whatever>.txt'
- the file must contain a line of the following format (no unicode or other special chars):

; FLID: <file listing name - case sensitive> <version>

The spaces are required, and no space on the end of the line.
- the version must be of the form x.x.x.x (all four numbers) and each x must be a value from 0 to 255
- the file must be packaged in the root of the zip archive

This plugin also provides an automatic update API for plugin developers, so that you can register release and beta update urls for plugins on or off the file listing. See the m_updater.h in the source for for details and example code.

Quick FAQ:

Why isn't plugin or language pack <x> listed? See the 'rules' above.

Why does plugin or language pack <x> always think it needs to be updated? This occurs when the version on the file listing doesn't match the version in that plugin dll or language pack file (for plugins, compare the version in the list in options->plugins with the version on the FL...for language packs, see the line in the file beginning with '; FLID:')

beta source available via svn from https://server.scottellis.com.au/svn/mim_plugs/updater

[Drugwash]

One thing that could be added is "Scan downloaded plugins for viruses before installing", that would automatically launch the default (or favorite) anti-virus application and scan the folder where the files have been downloaded.

That's for the talk at the old thread, about security issues...

Question: how is the unzipping being done, for the 9x systems? Does Miranda or this plugin have an internal unzipper?

[TioDuke]

I think Drugwash idea is something really needed. But I would ask you to implement it in some other way: to add a text box where the user can type a command to be executed just after download is completed. It can be used for:
a) Scanning with an antivirus
b) Run a backup command (I usually backup my miranda folder before updating plugins).
Both things would be perfect (can be solved with a .bat).

Or thinking it better, the AV scanning command string could be taken directly from Options->Events->File Transfers. But I would still ask for the possiblility of running a command before updating (for making backups).

Anyway, it is a good idea and I will add the services in my plugins (BTW, is the API finished or do you plab to add more things?: I want to modifiy them only once ;-p => I am lazy too).

[sir_qwerty]

Not bad idea with antivirus but let's do some tiny poll:
* How many times have you downloaded plugin from MiM site? (me = milion times)
* How many times have you encountered a virus? (me = zero times)

Yes, implement it, but I think that everyone in these days has AV installed and running resident, so every suspicious action would be caught even without calling AV from Updater.

[TioDuke]

Yes, you are right. Same here. And I am sure that in MIM's FL there will be no problems, but consider what may happen when downloading alphas. For me it is as important as the possibility of running backups.

Offtopic: how are you? It's been a long time since you don't "appear".

[sir_qwerty]

Doing a backup of working configuration might be useful. Subjectively: I've never suffered from updating, someone has.

I will try to post more to be Miranda Wizard as well :)

[andrewabc]

Odd, neithor wazzup or updater noticed that it has been updated.

Wow, new version is going to start checking for many more plugins! Before it would only check 3. Had no idea how to add others :P.

[sje]

no they won't in general notice updates very quickly - the xml data is generated at most once every 24 hours, afaik...which considering the way i update - in binges :) - is probably quite a good thing

[TioDuke]

sje: I have seen your post about plugininfo not matching FL's description in some plugins. Why don't make a list and post it? I have several that don't get recognised by Updater because of that. I can send you my list when I get home today. Thanks.

[borkra]

sje,

Could you please add support for updates to go not only into plugins directory but into Miranda root directory too. This could be triggered by existence of plugins folder in zip or some special file.