On demand patching of applications via software implementation installer mechanism

• US 20030145317A1
• Filed: 08/27/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chamberlain, Benjamin C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,073,172 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/177
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation

Abstract

A method and mechanism for automatically patching software implementations such as applications as they are installed from an external source. A patch program is run for a software implementation that is advertised as available, or is otherwise available, though not yet installed (or fully installed). The mechanism maintains the patch information for that software implementation. Whenever the software implementation is installed, the mechanism determines that the software implementation has the patch information maintained therefor. The mechanism automatically applies the patch as part of the on-demand installation process. The patch may change the files, the values of registry entries and/or the installation logic associated with the software implementation.

Claims

13. In a computing environment, a method comprising:

receiving a request related to patching a software implementation with patch data;

determining whether the software implementation is already installed; and

if the software implementation is already installed, patching the software implementation with the patch data and maintaining patch information in association with the software implementation such that if the software implementation is later reinstalled, the reinstalled software implementation will be automatically re-patched with the patch data upon reinstallation of the software implementation; and

if the software implementation is not already installed, maintaining patch information in association with the software implementation such that if the software implementation is installed, the software implementation will be automatically patched with the patch data upon installation of the software implementation.

14-1. The mechanism of claim 15 wherein the patch information includes at least one new file to install for the software implementation.

15-2. The mechanism of claim 15 wherein the patch information identifies the software implementation by a product code.

23. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:

receiving a request to install a software implementation;

installing at least part of the software implementation;

in connection with at least part of the software implementation, automatically determining from patch information associated with the software implementation that the software implementation has a patch associated therewith; and

automatically patching the software implementation.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the software implementation is an advertised application that is advertised as available for execution prior to installation of application code used to execute the application.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein the software implementation is a published application that has no presence on a machine until invoked.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 having further computer-executable instructions for receiving the patch, and maintaining the patch in association with the software implementation.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein patching the software implementation includes changing data in at least one file of the software implementation.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein patching the software implementation includes adding at least one file to the software implementation.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein patching the software implementation includes deleting at least one file of the software implementation.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein patching the software implementation includes replacing at least one file of the software implementation.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein patching the software implementation includes writing a value to a registry entry associated with the software implementation.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein patching the software implementation includes modifying a value of a registry entry associated with the software implementation.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein patching the software implementation includes changing installation logic of the software implementation.