Software distribution system to build and distribute a software release
First Claim
1. A method to create and electronically distribute a new release of a software program in a computer system comprising a plurality of processors, a plurality of software programs and a central storage device, at least one of the plurality of processors storing and executing one of the plurality of software programs, each one of the plurality of software programs comprising a plurality of modules, the method comprising the steps of:
- modifying, in at least one repository, one of the plurality of software programs;
performing an impact analysis to identify all modules to be modified as a result of the modification to the one of the plurality of software programs;
building, in the at least one repository, a new release of the one of the plurality of software programs by modifying all modules identified in the previous step;
storing the new release in the central storage device;
determining which of the plurality of processors require a copy of the new release;
electronically down-loading the new release from the central storage device to the plurality of processors which require a copy of the new release as determined in the previous step;
issuing a down-load complete message at each of the plurality of processors to which the new release was electronically down-loaded upon completion of the down-load at each of said processors;
transmitting an install order to each of the plurality of processors to which the new release was electronically down-loaded; and
installing the new release at each of the plurality of processors to which the new release was electronically down-loaded.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for creating and electronically distributing a new release of a software program in a computer system having a number of processors is disclosed. One of the software programs is modified. An impact analysis is performed to identify modules to be modified as a result of the modification. A new release of the software program is built by modifying the identified modules. Typically, the new release is built in one or more repositories. The new release is stored in a central storage device. It is determined which processors require a copy of the new release, and the new release is electronically down-loaded from the central storage device to each processor. A down-load complete message is issued at each processor upon completion of the download. An install order is transmitted to each of the processors to which the new release was down-loaded. The new release is installed at each of these processors. The new release can be installed concurrently at each processor. The previous version can be reinstalled if, for example, errors or problems occur.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method to create and electronically distribute a new release of a software program in a computer system comprising a plurality of processors, a plurality of software programs and a central storage device, at least one of the plurality of processors storing and executing one of the plurality of software programs, each one of the plurality of software programs comprising a plurality of modules, the method comprising the steps of:
-
modifying, in at least one repository, one of the plurality of software programs; performing an impact analysis to identify all modules to be modified as a result of the modification to the one of the plurality of software programs; building, in the at least one repository, a new release of the one of the plurality of software programs by modifying all modules identified in the previous step; storing the new release in the central storage device; determining which of the plurality of processors require a copy of the new release; electronically down-loading the new release from the central storage device to the plurality of processors which require a copy of the new release as determined in the previous step; issuing a down-load complete message at each of the plurality of processors to which the new release was electronically down-loaded upon completion of the down-load at each of said processors; transmitting an install order to each of the plurality of processors to which the new release was electronically down-loaded; and installing the new release at each of the plurality of processors to which the new release was electronically down-loaded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A method to build and electronically distribute a release of a software program in a computer system comprising a plurality of workstations, at least one of the plurality of workstations storing and executing the software program, the software program comprising a plurality of modules, the method comprising the steps of:
-
identifying modules that require modification; building a release of the software program by modifying the modules identified in the previous step; uploading the modules modified in the previous step to a central warehouse; determining which of the plurality of workstations are using the software program; issuing a down-load order to each of the plurality of workstations that are using the software program; storing the down-load order at each of the plurality of workstations that are using the software program; processing the down-load order at each of the plurality of workstation that are using the software program such that said workstations request each modified module from the central warehouse; down-loading each modified module from the central warehouse to a local warehouse at each of the plurality of workstations that are using the software program when requested by each said workstation; issuing a completion status message at each said workstation upon completion of the down-load step at each said workstation; issuing an install order to each workstation that received each modified module; at each workstations saving a previous version of each module to be modified; installing each modified module at each workstation that received the install order by transferring each modified module from the local warehouse to the respective workstation for processing. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method to build and electronically distribute a release of a software program in a computer system comprising a plurality of workstations, at least one of the plurality of workstations storing and executing the software program, the software program comprising a plurality of modules, the-method comprising the steps of:
-
identifying modules that require modification; building a release of the software program by modifying the modules identified in the previous step; uploading the modules modified in the previous step to a warehouse; determining which of the plurality of workstations are using the software program; issuing a down-load order to each of the plurality of workstations that are using the software program; transferring, when requested by each of the plurality of workstations that are using the software program, each modified module from the warehouse to a local warehouse at each of said workstations; issuing an install order to each workstation that received each modified module; and installing each modified module at each workstation that received the install order by transferring each modified module from the local warehouse to the workstation for processing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification