Benefits of Patching

The role of patches in the software deployment life-cycle is to get already installed software up to date after it becomes outdated. Patching technology offers numerous benefits over simply redistributing new versions of the original software in whole form.

Smaller file size

Because they only contain the data that has changed from one version to another, patches can be much smaller than a full software installer needs to be. Especially in situations where large data files are involved, the savings are often dramatic-patches that are less than 1% of the original file sizes are possible.

Reduced bandwidth

Smaller file sizes translate into reduced bandwidth costs, and reducing the amount of traffic leaves more bandwidth for other services.

Faster transmission speeds

Having less data to transmit means that updates can be sent and received faster, which means less time is spent waiting for updates.

Security

The best way to protect information during transmission is to never transmit it in the first place. By only transmitting the data that has changed, patches reduce the risk of third-party interception. Even if some hypothetical future technology made it possible to “crack” the encryption methods used to package the changes, the unchanged data would remain safe.

Integrity

A patch can’t update something that isn’t there. If a user doesn’t already have your software installed, they won’t be able to apply the patch. And if someone is using a modified version of a file, that file won’t be updated-unless you expressly permit it when you design your patch.

Patching Methods

There are two basic methods that can be used to update a file: binary patching, and whole-file patching.

Binary Patching

Binary patching or “delta compression” involves analyzing two versions of a file in order to extract only the data that has changed. The same changes can then be applied to any file that matches the old version, in order to “transform” it into the new version.

Creating a binary patch involves performing a byte-by-byte comparison between the original file and the new file, and then encoding the differences into a difference file. Each difference file contains the actual bytes that are different in the new file, along with a number of instructions that describe which bytes need to change, and which bytes are the same. This information is said to be encoded into the difference file.

Tip: The term “difference file” is often shortened to “diff file” or just “diff.”

When the patch is applied, the difference file is decoded, and the instructions are used to build the new file by copying the “unchanged” data out of the old file, along with the “changed” data that was encoded into the difference file.

For example, given an old file “A” and a new file “B,” a binary patching engine would compare A to B and then produce a difference file; let’s call it “AB.diff.” Once the difference file is created, you can use it to create the B file from any file that matches the A file. In fact, the binary patching engine could recreate B using A and AB.diff.

Because binary patching only stores the parts that have changed, the difference files can be very small-often less than one percent of the new file’s size. The size of the difference file depends entirely on how much data has changed between the two versions.

Each difference file can update a single, specific version of a file to another single, specific version of that file. The encoded instructions in the difference file are only valid for a file that is a perfect match of the original source file. Note that binary patching cannot be used to update a file if it has been modified in any way.

For patches that need to update multiple files, the patch executable will need to contain a separate difference file for each file that needs to be updated. So, for example, to update a single file from version 1.0 or 1.1 to version 1.2, using a single patch executable, it would need to contain one difference file to go from 1.0 to 1.2, and another to go from 1.1 to 1.2.

In most cases, the difference files are so small that you can fit a lot of versions into a single patch executable and still use less space than you would by just including the whole file, as in whole-file patching (see below).

Note: An advanced patch maker like Indigo Rose’s Visual Patch will automatically switch from binary to whole-file patching on a file-by-file basis whenever the total size of all the difference files surpasses the size of the whole file.

Whole-File Patching

Whole-file patching operates on a different principle. Instead of only containing the parts that have changed (as binary patches do), whole-file patches just copy the entire file. The “patch” is just a copy of the new version.

Whole-file patches can be faster to apply, because they don’t have to search through the original file in order to copy the parts that haven’t changed to the new version. They just overwrite the old file with the new one. The downside, of course, is that whole-file patches tend to be much larger than binary patches.

There are, however, two situations where whole-file patches can actually be smaller: when creating a single patch file that is able to update many different versions, and when the files being patched are too dissimilar.

A smart patch maker like Visual Patch chooses the patching method that produces the best results. It automatically switches between binary patching and whole-file patching on a file-by-file basis in order to produces the smallest patch possible for your project.

About the Author

For more information on choosing a binary patch maker that creates compact and secure software updates, visit http://www.indigorose.com/products/visual-patch/ and download a free trial version of Visual Patch.

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Unlike other tools that borrow functionality from third-party installers or are built upon command line tools, Visual Patch features a completely integrated visual development environment. Visual Patch automatically takes care of the complicated details of patch development, such as inspecting versions to decide which files have changed, and performing sophisticated byte level differencing on each file in order to extract the differences between versions.

• High Performance Binary Differencing. State-of-the-art delta compression algorithms developed specifically for their impressive speed characteristics, especially for gigabyte-sized files. Create smaller patches for larger files faster.

• Full-History Patching. Gives developers full control over which versions can be patched with a single executable. Full-history patching means you can update any version of your software to the latest release with one patch file.

• Sophisticated Version Management. Makes it easy to manage software releases. You can quickly and easily add, remove and organize product versions, and see all of the important details about your files.

• Customizable User Interface. A library of over twenty different screens makes it easy to control the user interface of your patches. There are pre-built layouts to handle just about any task you can imagine, and it’s easy to adjust them to fit your needs exactly.

• 100% Data Integrity. Patches are only applied to the exact files they’re intended for. Using a combination of 128-bit MD5 hashing, CRC-32 checksums and industry standard data encryption protocols, applications and data are kept safe from unauthorized use, transmission errors and other threats.

With its sophisticated yet straightforward user interface, Visual Patch 3.5 simplifies software version management, turning the otherwise complicated task of managing point releases into a fast and automated process. There is no better way to make professional-quality, full-history binary patches for software and other electronic content.

Visual Patch 3.5 is the result of over 15 years of experience creating software deployment tools. You can rely on Indigo Rose to provide reliable tools, top quality documentation and superior technical support .

Click here to dowload a free trial version of Visual Patch 3.5

Benefits of Software Patching

The role of patches in the software deployment cycle is to get already-installed software up to date after it becomes outdated. Patching technology offers numerous benefits over simply redistributing new versions of the original software in whole form.

The first and most fundamental benefit is a dramatic reduction in file size, which leads to reduced bandwidth and storage costs. Because they only contain the data that has changed from one version to another, patches can be much smaller than a full installer or compressed archive. Especially in situations where large data files are involved, the savings are often dramatic, with typical bandwidth reductions between 90% and 99%.

Having less data to transmit means that updates can be sent and received faster, which means less time is spent waiting for updates, improving the user’s update experience and making automatic “background” updates feasible.

Binary differencing also makes the update process more secure. Transmitting only tiny portions of a file in a format that can’t be used without the original greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized use.

Competitive Position

Some tools claim to support large-file patching, but they process large files so slowly that it really isn’t feasible to use them for that purpose. Visual Patch uses a unique binary differencing algorithm that was developed to process very large files as quickly as possible. It does this while also achieving the best compression performance possible on all file sizes, large and small.

For example, in benchmark testing Visual Patch was able to create a patch for a 1.2 GB data file in under 3 minutes, whereas the nearest competitor we tested required more than 70 minutes to process the data on the same system. Some of the competing tools we tested were not even able to process such a large file, and either failed completely or were still processing after more than 24 hours.

Remarkably, Visual Patch achieves its speed without sacrificing performance, creating patches that compare favorably in size to patches created by other tools. In fact, Visual Patch’s speed permits additional size optimizations that are not feasible with other tools. For example, it can automatically perform multiple passes with different settings in order to find the optimal parameters for each particular file-and still manage to do so in less time than competing tools require for a single pass!

Visual Patch combines its advanced binary differencing engine with an intelligent full-history patching system. Full-history patches can update any older version to the latest release, allowing multiple versions to be patched with the same file. Only having one file to download simplifies the patching process. End users don’t have to worry about finding multiple patches and applying them in the correct order, as they would with other, less sophisticated patching tools.

More Information:

1. Visual Patch 3.5 Product Brochure Visual Patch 3.0 can figure out what files have changed,...
2. Frequently Asked Questions Visual Patch simplifies your product management and makes it easy...
3. Product Features Visual Patch 3.0 is the fastest way to create compact...

Some features of Visual Patch 3.5 include…

DeltaMAX Binary Differencing
Other tools can stall out on files as small as 40 MB. Visual Patch can make quick work of gigabyte sized files. State-of-the-art DeltaMAX binary differencing compression creates the smallest possible patch files in less time than ever before.

Full-History Patches
Update any previous version of your software to the latest release with one patch file. Dramatically simplifies the patching process for users. Intelligent full-history patching algorithms can update multiple older versions to the latest release from a single patch file.

Rollback Protection
Patches can back up any modified files and automatically ‘roll back’ to the originals if an error occurs or a user aborts the patching process.

Sophisticated Version Management
Quickly and easily add, remove and organize all your product versions using the drag and drop workspace. Makes it easy to manage all your software releases from one environment.

Project Wizard Quick Start
Walks you through the creation of a professional software patch complete with customized dialogs, multiple methods of version detection and rollback.

100% Data Integrity & Security Features
Unlike a full software installer, patch files contain only the data needed to update older versions – making them ideal for public website distribution. Data security and integrity is ensured through a combination of 128-bit MD5 hashing, CRC-32 checksums and encryption standards.

Powerful Scripting Engine
A powerful scripting engine with more than 250 high-level actions gives unprecedented control over the software patching system. Features everything from registry editing to web script interaction, file downloads and more.

Customizable User Interface
A library of over twenty different screens (plus graphical skinning system) makes it easy to control the user interface of your patches. There are pre-built layouts to handle just about any task you can imagine, and it’s easy to adjust them to fit your needs exactly.

International / Multilingual Language Support
A unique language selector is included on each screen dialog, making it easy to create multilingual user interfaces and modify translations at will.

Interactive or Silent Operation
Supports the creation of both fully-interactive “wizard based” patches or completely automatic patches that operate silently without displaying any user interface at all.

Advanced System Editing
Advanced system-changing capabilities are built right in. Query the Registry, modify INI files, perform file searches, interact with web scripts, explore folders, delete and rename files, and more.

Authenticode Support
Codesign your patches with integrated support for Authenticode certificates signing.

Unattended Builds
Visual Patch fits seamlessly into your automated build processes with features like build constants and pre/post build processes.

Reports and Logs
Improved HTML-based project reports and text-based install-time log files give you an accurate record of your patch. New options let you control the level of detail being logged, including options for recording errors and script execution details.

Themes & Skinning System
Choose from dozens of pre-made themes (skins) for your dialogs or make your own. It’s as easy as viewing a live dialog preview and picking your favorite style. Configure everything from fonts and banner images to body/background graphics, control colors and more.

Integrates with TrueUpdate
Visual Patch is an integral component of Indigo Rose’s software deployment suite. For a complete and fully integrated end-to-end solution, we’d recommend using Visual Patch in conjunction with Setup Factory (software installation) and TrueUpdate (automated “check-for-update” feature).

Lightweight and Self-Contained
Creates self-extracting executable patches that are compact, optimized, and completely self-contained, with no external dependencies or extras to distribute.

Fully Compatible
Make a single patch file that is compatible with all Windows systems, including Vista, XP, Server 2003, 2000, ME, 98 and 95.

Comprehensive Documentation
The software ships with an extensive command reference help file and a 285-page user’s guide in PDF format.

World-Class Support
Indigo Rose stands behind its products with a refreshingly personal approach to technical support. We’ll treat you like the valued customer that you are.

Best Value
Compare it to other tools. Visual Patch 3.5 is easy to use, provides next generation technology, has superior technical support and is priced lower than competitive products

Trusted
Indigo Rose Software products are trusted by over 20,000 software developers worldwide where our runtimes ultimately reach millions of desktops.

More Information:

1. Visual Patch 3.5 Product Brochure Visual Patch 3.0 can figure out what files have changed,...
2. Overview of Visual Patch 3.5 Visual Patch 3.0 is a fast and efficient solution for...
3. Frequently Asked Questions Visual Patch simplifies your product management and makes it easy...

Click here to download a printable Visual Patch 3.5 brochure

Note: This brochure in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. You may need to download and install the Adobe Reader software in order to view it.

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1. Visual Patch 3.5 Product Brochure Visual Patch 3.0 can figure out what files have changed,...
2. Overview of Visual Patch 3.5 Visual Patch 3.0 is a fast and efficient solution for...
3. Frequently Asked Questions Visual Patch simplifies your product management and makes it easy...

Here are some answers to common questions about Visual Patch 3.5…

Who needs Visual Patch?

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, databases, videos, etc. – Visual Patch can figure out what files have changed, the exact changes within each file and how to update any previous version to the current version.

How easy is it to learn?

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 “no patch” to “patch” than ever before.

How does Visual Patch affect my bottom line?

Distributing smaller files is good for both you and your customers. Visual Patch will help you save money on bandwidth, server hardware and network congestion. Your customers and clients will benefit from faster downloads, a reliable and easy to use patching process and increased satisfaction with your product and company.

Does Visual Patch support binary patching?

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 excellent addition to the toolbox of any software developer or IT manager.

Does Visual Patch support full history patching?

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 software to the latest release. This makes patches created with Visual Patch easier to apply and friendlier to use than those created with less sophisticated patch builders.

Can I password protect my patches?

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 the use of binary differencing, key files and sophisticated message digests calculations.

Will my patch work on all Windows platforms?

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.

What languages can my patch appear in?

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 screens and messages appropriately. Whether you need to support English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or any other language recognized by Windows, simply provide the text and Visual Patch takes care of the rest!

Why not just use Setup Factory to build a new installer?

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 files are smaller as they only distribute the files that have changed and – more importantly – they are absolutely useless to anyone who doesn’t already have a valid version of your software installed.

What’s the difference between an Installer builder and a Patch builder?

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 application on a computer system. Once it’s installed and working, the installation program’s job is done. In a perfect and unchanging world, that would be the end of the story. However, we all know that change is a constant. Software and data need to be updated periodically (bug fixes, features etc), but such changes seldom require the complete overhaul of a program. You need a method that synchronizes the data “in-the-field” with your current release.

Visual Patch greatly simplifies product maintenance by taking care of this for you. Whenever you have a new version ready, Visual Patch figures out what files need to be added, changed or replaced to bring any older version of your software up to date.

Visual Patch saves you time by making the design process as easy as possible. Visual Patch is also incredibly accurate; by automating much of the decision process, it eliminates opportunities for human error compared to developing patches “by hand” with other methods. Additionally, with the addition of binary differencing, Visual Patch can actually determine the areas of difference within a file and only distribute those particular changes – something that is impossible to do without sophisticated algorithms.

Will my patch be Internet ready?

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 Authenticode-ready, so you can digitally sign your patches.

What other tools do I need to use Visual Patch?

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 will do it. However, as part of a complete solution for software deployment, you will find that Visual Patch integrates quite nicely with tools like Setup Factory and TrueUpdate.

What kinds of files can Visual Patch update?

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, the possibilities are endless.

Can I customize the runtime interface?

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 and set conditional display options. A variety of screen types are available, from basic text displays, to check boxes, text input, radio buttons and more.

Can I create patches that target multiple operating systems?

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 might check different Registry locations for values if the user is running Windows 98 or Windows XP.

Can I distribute my patch on CD-ROM / DVD-ROM? Email? Web?

Yes. Visual Patch creates standalone, single-file executable patches that you can distribute using virtually any type of media you like.

Can Visual Patch handle advanced patching needs?

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 web scripts, explore folders, delete and rename files, and more.

How does Visual Patch benefit the software developer?

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 easier it is for you to release updates, the more often you can release them. You won’t have to hold back releases until you have made enough changes to justify the effort required to prepare updates using traditional update methods.

How does Visual Patch impact technical support?

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 users up to date makes it easier to support them when incidents occur.

How will Visual Patch impact our customers and clients?

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 experience with your software, you need to make patching your software as easy as possible. Making it easy for users to patch your software shows that you’re committed to supporting it.

How does Visual Patch benefit the network administrator?

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 task is virtually impossible. Used in conjunction with Indigo Rose’s TrueUpdate, you’ll be able to quickly and effectively roll out whatever software patches you need to throughout your organization. The TrueUpdate client software can analyze the computer system, decide what is currently installed and then take action to download and install the patches you’ve made with Visual Patch to bring that system up-to-date. It’s fast, easy and automatic.

I’m not a software developer…do I still need Visual Patch?

Absolutely! You don’t need to be a software developer to benefit from Visual Patch. You can use Visual Patch to update product catalogs, databases, price lists, help files, quarterly reports, training videos or whatever else you want.

System Requirements

In order to build patches, a developer requires:

• Windows 2000, XP or Vista
• 512 MB RAM (1 GB+ RAM recommended)
• 800×600 display resolution
• 50 MB free hard drive space

In order to run the patches, an end user requires:

• Windows 95/98/ME/NT4(SP6)/2000/XP/Vista
• 32 MB RAM
• 640×480 display resolution
• 10 MB free hard drive space

More Information:

1. Overview of Visual Patch 3.5 Visual Patch 3.0 is a fast and efficient solution for...
2. Product Features Visual Patch 3.0 is the fastest way to create compact...
3. Visual Patch 3.5 Product Brochure Visual Patch 3.0 can figure out what files have changed,...

Click on any of the screenshot images below to see a larger, more detailed version.

More Information:

1. Product Features Visual Patch 3.0 is the fastest way to create compact...
2. Visual Patch 3.5 Product Brochure Visual Patch 3.0 can figure out what files have changed,...
3. Online User’s Guide The easiest way to learn how to use Visual Patch...

However, to get the most out of your software, you’ll want to spend some time with the User’s Guide. The Help menu is your friend! That’s were you’ll find links to the User’s Guide, the Scripting Guide and the full Help File/Command Reference.

We’ve also made these resource available to you online in “webhelp” format, if you’d like to take a peek before installing the software.

Click Here to View the Visual Patch 3.5 Online User’s Guide

More Information:

1. Product Features Visual Patch 3.0 is the fastest way to create compact...
2. Visual Patch 3.5 Product Brochure Visual Patch 3.0 can figure out what files have changed,...
3. Screenshot Gallery Visual Patch 3.0 screenshots and dialogs. Create binary software patches...