Automatically Updating Compact Framework Application Code

Question

I created a Compact Framework application for use by delivery drivers. This runs in the SQL CE database and connects to the WCF service on the web server. I need a way to update the system when releasing new versions.

I hope that I can install the new version of WCF code in a new folder on the web server, and then somehow force the mobile devices to update the local CF application, as well as connect to the new WCF service URL. So far I have found 2 frameworks:

WmAutoUpdate http://github.com/seboslaw/wmautoupdate

AppToDate http://www.modaco.com/category/332/apptodate/

And some old sample code from Microsoft:

.NET Compact Framework example: automatic update http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=8FC47C2C-FC61-4D82-ABAE-F34DC1BFCD3F&displaylang=en

Before I spend hours exploring these options, I hope for some advice from others who have come before. What are the pros and cons of the various frameworks and methods? I have read various other posts on this topic, but they do not include reviews of these frameworks.

Greetings
Mark

Answer 1

These are good places to start.

If you use a tighlty locked device and restrict access to the Internet (as I suspect you are), then AppToDate may not be acceptable. Depending on how you lock the devices, you might have to write something. WmAutoUpdate should be a good starting point for this.

Talk to the manufacturers of the devices you are using, as many of them have their own software solutions just for this problem.