Forum: Visual Patch 3.5 FAQ

Question: What order do things happen in during a patch? Answer: This is the Visual Patch 3.0 runtime patching sequence: Initialize some Lua variables (_CommandLineArgs, %SourceFolder%, etc.) Begin the log file. Initialize the language support. Verify the file archive integrity.

Question: How does Visual Patch benefit the network administrator? Answer: Keeping a corporate, educational or government network up-to-date with the latest security patches, applications updates and operating system fixes is a time consuming ordeal. Without tools like Visual Patch, the...

Question: How will Visual Patch impact our customers and clients? Answer: Today's users are savvy; they demand responsiveness from software companies and they want tools that meet their needs and make them more productive. In order to maintain customer loyalty and maximize the user's...

Question: How does Visual Patch impact technical support? Answer: Timely software patches allow your users to benefit quickly from any new features and bug fixes you develop. Ensuring that users benefit from all the bug fixes you've released reduces the incidence of support calls. Keeping...

Question: How does Visual Patch benefit the software developer? Answer: The easier it is for your users to update your software, the more likely it is that your users will be using the latest version. As a result, your technical support team will have fewer legacy issues to deal with. The...

Question: Can Visual Patch handle advanced patching needs? Answer: Absolutely. With Visual Patch, you aren't limited to just replacing old files with new ones. We've also included many advanced features – you can query the Registry, modify INI files, perform file searches, interact with...

Question: Can I distribute my patch on CD-ROM / DVD-ROM? Email? Web? Answer: Yes. Visual Patch creates standalone, single-file executable patches that you can distribute using virtually any type of media you like.

Question: Can I create patches that target multiple operating systems? Answer: Yes. You can attach conditions to any part of the patch to make them specific to the version of Windows that the user is running. For instance, your patch might install some new files only on Windows 95, or it...

Question: Can I customize the runtime interface? Answer: Yes. Visual Patch lets you easily drop in new wizard dialogs using the built-in Screen Manager and Gallery. Altering the display sequence is as simple as clicking on up and down arrows. You can edit text messages, use custom graphics...

Question: What kinds of files can Visual Patch update? Answer: Visual Patch will work with any kind of files. You could even use it to update a few slides in a presentation, or individual files in a library of help documents used by your sales team. With a flexible tool like Visual Patch,...

Question: What other tools do I need to use Visual Patch? Answer: None. As a standalone product, Visual Patch can be used by anyone. It doesn't matter what installation product you use or even whether you use one at all. If you need to get newer versions of files out to users, Visual Patch...

Question: Will my patch be Internet ready? Answer: Yes. Visual Patch generates a compact, single-file, self-executing patch that is easy to distribute, and easy for your users to use. It’s perfect for distribution using web, email, LAN, TrueUpdate, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. It’s also...

Question: What’s the difference between an Installer builder and a Patch builder? Answer: Installer builders (such as Indigo Rose’s Setup Factory) have a different purpose than patch builders (like Visual Patch). A software installer is used to setup and configure a full software...

Question: Why not just use Setup Factory to build a new installer? Answer: When preparing a new release, you will certainly want to use Setup Factory to build an installer for new customers; however, you can save money and ensure the security of your updates by using patch files. Patch...

Question: What languages can my patch appear in? Answer: Visual Patch gives you everything you need to support your customers and clients around the world. Patches created with Visual Patch can automatically determine the language of the client operating system and adjust the display of...

Question: Will my patch work on all Windows platforms? Answer: Visual Patch builds patches with 100% support for all 32-bit Windows platforms. This includes Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP and Server 2003.

Question: Can I password protect my patches? Answer: Yes. Visual Patch includes a number of features designed to help you manage access to your software. Asking for a password or serial number is no problem. Additionally, Visual Patch automatically restricts use of your patch files through...

Question: Does Visual Patch support full history patching? Answer: Yes. Visual Patch gives you full control over which versions of your software can be patched with a single executable. Unlike some other products, Visual Patch’s full-history patching ability can update any version of your...

Question: Does Visual Patch support binary patching? Answer: Yes. Visual Patch features state-of-the-art binary differencing and compression algorithms. Combined with a powerful full-history patching engine, Visual Patch offers a unique approach unequaled by any other product, making it an...

Question: How does Visual Patch affect my bottom line? Answer: Distributing smaller files is good for both you and your customers. Visual Patch 2.0 will help you save money on bandwidth, server hardware and network congestion. Your customers and clients will benefit from faster downloads,...

Question How easy is it to learn? Answer Visual Patch's point-and-click design takes the difficulty out of building even the most sophisticated full-history patches. With the same ease of use and interface style that has made Setup Factory famous, Visual Patch makes it easier to get from...

Question Who needs Visual Patch? Answer Anyone who needs to create compact and secure software patches needs Visual Patch. This includes software developers, network administrators and IT managers, among others. Regardless of the type of data being distributed – executables, documents,...

Question Why use Visual Patch? Answer Visual Patch simplifies your product management and makes it easy to manage your software releases. There is no easier way to make professional quality, full-history patches for your software and other electronic content. Unlike other products, Visual...

Question Do I have to pay any runtime royalties, and if so what is your pricing structure? Answer The Visual Patch license agreement grants you non-exclusive rights to distribute the runtime applications (e.g. patch.exe) created by the Software on a royalty-free basis. In other words,...