Im tyring to devise a way to automatically update my software. Here is my idea, im sure someone has already done this but stick with me..

User runs the program. The program checks a central server for updates. If there is updates the program then downloads the executable to the disk. My problem is, how can I have the running executable copy over itself a new version? I know I could accomplish this pertty eaisly with an seperate executable, but I want this whole process to happen from within the program itself.


I have though of one way but Its not very pratical... Here goes...

When the new executable gets downloaded, it gets saved as a special name, something differet fromt he old executable. The old executable, once done downloading runs the new executable which would know that there is an old version still in the same directory, then the new executable copyies itself over the old one. Then the new executable quits and runs the one it just copied, this executable will now be the same name as the original. Then this new one relizes that there is a copy of itself do it just deletes is and the program is on its merry way.

Like I said this seems pretty unpractical...

Has anyone else delt with this problem? How did you solve it?

TIA
Eric Stephani