What is File Application Upgrade?

File application upgrade is a lightweight update mechanism where update files are uniformly hosted and maintained by the UpgradeLink system. The core advantage is that developers do not need to independently maintain file storage and download links. Simply upload update files to the UpgradeLink system, and the system will handle file management and distribution. Developers can control the entire version release process, making it particularly suitable for commercial projects, team collaboration projects that require standardized file management and simplified operation costs, or scenarios that require unified file distribution control. It supports updates and distribution of application installation packages and various custom files.

1. Core Concepts

1.1 File Hosting Platformization

The core logic is to proactively upload the application's "application installation package" (APK/EXE/DMG/IPA , etc.) or "custom update files" to the UpgradeLink system. The UpgradeLink system uniformly handles file storage, version management, and download link maintenance, allowing clients to actively request verification and download from the system.

File hosting carrier: Uniquely relies on the UpgradeLink system. All update files are centrally hosted by this system, and developers do not need to worry about underlying operation work such as file storage server setup and access stability.

2. Typical Workflow

1. Developer preprocessing: Upload the application installation package or custom update file to the UpgradeLink system. The system automatically generates the corresponding file identifier and download-related information (such as version number association, file metadata, etc.);
2. Client startup/periodic trigger: Actively send update requests to obtain version-related information of system-hosted files (such as file name version number, file metadata, etc.);
3. Version comparison: Compare the current version number of the local application with the version number corresponding to the remote file returned by the UpgradeLink system;
4. Branch judgment: If remote version number > local version number, trigger the update process;
5. Display update prompt to users (including update log, file size, etc.);
6. Wait for user confirmation (mandatory update can be configured if necessary);
7. After user confirmation, the client obtains the corresponding application installation package or custom file through the download link provided by the UpgradeLink system;
8. After download completion, trigger subsequent processes according to file type (application installation packages automatically trigger installation, custom files execute preset business logic), and the process ends.

If remote version number ≤ local version number: Display "Current version is already the latest" prompt to users (or silently end the process), and the process ends.

3. Key Implementation Points

Version Hosting Configuration Specifications

• File upload requirements: Application installation packages or custom update files must be uploaded according to the format and size limits specified by the UpgradeLink system to ensure file integrity and availability;
• System configuration points: After uploading files, version information (such as version number, update log, etc.) must be entered into the UpgradeLink system. The system will automatically associate files with version information and generate corresponding query and download links;
• Client configuration: In the client update module, configure the file query interface address or file unique identifier provided by the UpgradeLink system to ensure the client can normally send requests to the system, obtain file information, and download files.

4. Advantages and Features

• Full process control: Independently determine the release rhythm, version history retention, and update strategy. File hosting and distribution are guaranteed by the UpgradeLink system, balancing control and operation convenience;
• Extremely low operation costs: No need to build/maintain any file storage and download servers. Rely on the UpgradeLink system to complete full-link file management, greatly reducing operation pressure;
• High flexibility: Support phased rollouts (implemented by configuring different file distribution scopes through the UpgradeLink system), channel-specific updates (configure multiple sets of files and version information in the system), and emergency hotfixes (quickly update corresponding files and versions in the system without adjusting the client);
• Cross-platform universal: The same core logic can be adapted to multiple terminals such as Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS (requires adaptation to each system's installation permissions). The UpgradeLink system uniformly provides cross-terminal compatible download links;
• Easy reuse and expansion: Core update logic can be encapsulated as a general module. Different projects only need to replace it with the "file unique identifier" of the corresponding project in the UpgradeLink system to quickly access.