AutoHotkey Community

[Chris]

I've noticed more and more sites linking directly to the version-numbered installer.

There are two problems with this:
1) When the next version is released, anyone who downloads from the old link will not get the latest version.
2) The link will eventually become broken because I do not keep all past versions on the site.

In light of this, I'm considering changing the installer's filename to omit the version number. I know this will inconvenience anyone who keeps older versions on hand. Do you think this inconvenience is worth eliminating the two problems above?

Thanks for voting.

[deguix]

I don't like a version numbered executable name because of the two problems you said. Linking the executable from another website will give the hoster constant nightmares.
_________________
Working now on:
NSIS Wiki (NSIS)

[Rajat]

omitting seems justified. all the change i'd need to do to my archiving habits is add the version to the file before sending it to the folder with prev versions.
_________________

[corrupt]

Keeping the installer name the same would make life a bit easier when trying to autoupdate...

[Rajat]

[JSLover]

[CarlosTheTackle]

Whilst I always like the version number to be on the filename, I am happy to add it myself when I download it for the sake of the previously discussed advantages to the hosting issues.

C

[deguix]

Oh yeah, you got a point here. Archiving will be easier if there is a version on the filename. But that's what I don't do (I just run the executable directly), so for me the version number doesn't matter.
_________________
Working now on:
NSIS Wiki (NSIS)

[Chris]

Thanks for all the votes and comments.

[Chris]

With the latest release, the installer filename is now generic: AutoHotkeyInstall.exe

I know this will be inconvenient to some, but hopefully the net effect is positive. I'll be on the lookout for ways to have the best of both worlds, such as the methods proposed by JSLover.

Thanks for all the comments.

[HaSchmi]

All i need is the name with the actually version number and date in
a pretty manner on the web side near the download link


like e.g.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 1.0.25.14 -- February 5, 2005 (see changelog)

AutoHotkey_1.0.25.14_(2005-Feb-05).exe
AutoHotkey (1283 KB): Includes installer, help file, script compiler, and ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

or AutoHotkey_1.0.25.14_(Pre-1.0.26_build_2005-Feb-05).exe


So we only need to select and copy the name,
than click the DL-Link and paste the name to
store the file on disc.

Sure we could do that on our own, but
if you could do such thing automaticly ....

[BoBo]

[Chris]

For now, just copy and paste the version number. You can throw that in next to the filename in "Save As" by pressing the End key followed by four left arrows

I checked into using a PHP script to provide a versioned filename, but I'm not comfortable with its browser compatibility, the lack of an obvious filename for those who want a direct link, and other issues.

[ranomore]

@ HaSchmi
Why not use the AHK Automated Installation script, changing the name of the downloaded installer based on the the lines in currentversion.txt?

URLDownloadToFile, %DownloadURL%/AutoHotkeyInstall.exe?%Rnd1%=%Rnd2%, %DownloadFolder%\AutoHotkey%LatestVer2%.exe

Change the blue part

Welcome, BTW, to AutoHotkey!

[Chris]

JSLover spent some time creating a new method of putting the version number into the installer when you download it. The filename should now appear in the "Save As" dialog as AutoHotkey104203_Install.exe even though the link points to the permalink/generic filename AutoHotkeyInstall.exe.

It uses a .htaccess method to redirect to a PHP script containing print header("Location...

Although it seems to work well (even with UrlDownloadtoFile and WGet), please let me know if you have any problems with it.