Customizing an application through a patch

• US 20060136895A1
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Hughes, Aidan T., Barr, Paul C., Jennings, John P., Morrison, Shane A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,685,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

An integrated application setup enables the implementation of application customizations through patch technology. A customization patch extends a typical patch file format such that the customization patch serves as a container for application customization data useful for customizing an application using different underlying technologies. The contents of the customization patch can include transforms, cabinet files, and XML content containing customization information.

Claims

1. A method for customizing an application comprising:

receiving a patch file containing information for customizing an application; and

customizing the application according to the information in the patch file, the customizing comprising setting and/or making changes to one or more features of the application.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving a patch file comprises receiving an OLE structured storage patch file containing a transform file, a cabinet file, and XML content.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the customizing comprises applying a transform file contained within the patch file to an application installation package.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein applying a transform file comprises executing custom code contained within the transform to implement a customization that is not native to an application installer.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein customizing the application comprises executing XML contained within the patch file to implement a customization process previously installed from an application installation package and configured to recognize and execute the XML.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein implementing a customization process is selected from the group comprising:

executing a setup routine configured to recognize the XML, parse the XML for customization instructions, and execute the customization instructions; and

executing a custom action configured to recognize the XML, parse the XML for customization instructions, and execute the customization instructions.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein customizing the application is customizing the application in a manner selected from the group comprising:

customizing the application during installation of the application; and

customizing the application after installation of the application.

8. One or more processor-readable media having processor-executable instructions configured for:

parsing a customization patch file to locate application customization information; and

implementing an application customization to set and/or make changes to one or more features of the application based on the application customization information in the customization patch file.

9. One or more processor-readable media as recited in claim 8, wherein the parsing comprises recognizing a transform file, a cabinet file, and XML content within the customization patch file.

10. One or more processor-readable media as recited in claim 9, wherein implementing an application customization is implementing an application customization in a manner selected from the group comprising:

implementing the application customization by executing custom code within the transform file; and

implementing the application customization based on information in the XML content.

11. One or more processor-readable media as recited in claim 8, wherein implementing an application customization comprises implementing an application customization during an installation of the application.

12. One or more processor-readable media as recited in claim 8, wherein implementing an application customization comprises implementing an application customization after an installation of the application.

13. A computer comprising the one or more processor-readable media as recited in claim 8.

14. A computer comprising:

a customization patch having information for customizing an application; and

an application installer configured to customize the application based on the information in the customization patch.

15. A computer as recited in claim 14, wherein the information comprises:

a transform file;

a cabinet file; and

customization XML.

16. A computer as recited in claim 15, further comprising an application installation package, wherein the application installer is configured to apply customizations contained in the transform file to the application installation package.

17. A computer as recited in claim 16, wherein the transform file comprises custom code and the application installer is configured to execute the custom code to implement a customization that is not native to the application installer.

18. A computer as recited in claim 16, further comprising a customization process configured to parse the customization XML and implement application customizations according to instructions within the customization XML.

19. A computer as recited in claim 18, wherein the customization process is selected from a group comprising:

an application setup routine; and

a custom action installed from the application installation package.

20. A computer as recited in claim 14, wherein the customization patch is an OLE structured storage file.