ClickOnce

ClickOnce is a Microsoft technology that makes it possible to launch Windows applications over the Internet with just one click. Such applications are also known under the name of smart clients. It supports Windows Forms or Windows Presentation Foundation applications developed, other applications can be updated via the so-called block Updater Application. ClickOnce is similar to Java Web Start for the Java platform or Zero Install for Linux.

Description

ClickOnce gives the user the ability to install programs just by clicking a link on a website and run it. The core principle of ClickOnce is to bring the simplicity of Web applications for Windows users. In addition, ClickOnce aims to solve three other problems of conventional models of software distribution from: The difficulty to update an inserted program, the side effects of a program on the user's computer, and the need for elevated ( administrative ) user privileges to install programs.

About ClickOnce popular programs are classified as "low affecting " because they are installed only for the individual users, not for the entire computer (ClickOnce cache). To install no admin rights are required. Each ClickOnce program is separated from the other. This means that a ClickOnce application another may not alter or destroy.

ClickOnce is a CAS ( Code Access Security ) to ensure that system functions can not be called from a ClickOnce application from the Internet, which the security of the data and the system generally ensured.

Programs

The ClickOnce model supports two types of applications: installed programs ( like conventional Windows applications with Windows Start menu integration ) and online applications ( browser-hosted programs that are not installed, but can only be executed and cached). ClickOnce programs from an internet, a network share or even be distributed from a file location.

ClickOnce distribution technology is integrated into the Visual-Studio-2005/2008-Projektsystem and is natively supported by the MSBuild technology.

After ClickOnce long time worked only with Internet Explorer, is also supported with the Service Pack 1 for the. NET Framework 3.5 Mozilla Firefox. When you install the service pack an extension ( add-on ) named " Microsoft. NET Framework Assistant " is installed in Firefox, which could be uninstall in the first versions only by an intervention in the registry. The user-agent identifier is optionally added to the specification of the installed NET version for the server -. , Such as the Internet Explorer - can react to its existence.

Manifestos

A ClickOnce application is controlled by two XML manifests: a deployment manifest and an application manifest. The deployment manifest file describes the distribution model: the current version, update behavior, identity of the publishers, as well as a digital signature. This manifesto is to be used by administrators to regulate the distribution. The program manifesto -. Exe.manifest a file - describes the assemblies of the program referenced libraries and lists permissions that are required by the program. This file will be used by the developer of the program. To start a ClickOnce application, the user clicks on the deployment manifest file.

Updates

ClickOnce applications are self-updating; they can check automatically at startup on the availability of a newer version and replace any updated files. For programs to be installed ClickOnce offers some upgrade options. Thus programs can be configured, for example, so that they immediately check at startup or after startup for available updates. ClickOnce also offers a programming interface to customize the update behavior to personal needs. There is also support for necessary or strictly necessary updates for managing ongoing updates and ensuring that the entire user base can be brought to a new version in no time.