How to download a file from the web in processing?

Programming Questions

teralogik

How to download a file from the web in processing?

in Programming Questions • 2 years ago

Hi,

I've used processing a couple of times before, mainly with the arduino.

I format a lot of home-user computers and usually install the same set of open source freeware tools we all know - firefox, pdfcreator, vlc etc. etc.

The thing is, these programs are constantly being updated and new versions are coming out. With every new format&install i find myself downloading these programs time and time again.

I'd like to use processing to make a small portable program to connect to each of the program's servers, lookup the latest version and download it.

That would make things much easier for me. Any tips on how i could achieve this?

Cheers!

Replies(8)

tfguy44

Re: How to download a file from the web in processing?

2 years ago

How about just:

saveBytes( "someFile.exe", loadBytes( "http://www.downloadSite.com/version6/desiredFile.exe" ) );

Oh, hm, looking up the latest version might be a pain. If you need to communicate with a server, look at http://processing.org/reference/libraries/net/Client.html .

teralogik

Re: How to download a file from the web in processing?

2 years ago

Thank you, i'll try that. As for looking up the latest version, some of the servers already have "/latest" links or folders that can be used. I still have to figure out how to do it on the ones who don't... Suggestions are welcome =)

Cheers!!

mbraendle

Re: How to download a file from the web in processing?

2 years ago

Frankly, I think Processing is the completely wrong tool to do that.

There are softwares around such as Secunia that check the patch status of your installed software and do the download and installation for you.

Don't reinvent the wheel.

PhiLho

Re: How to download a file from the web in processing?

2 years ago

I agree with mbraendle, Processing isn't the best tool to do system maintenance...
Note that modern softwares like Firefox, Thunderbird, FileZilla, etc. are able to detect themselves the new versions. For the other softwares, there are specialized tools to pool the sites and detect new versions.

teralogik

Re: How to download a file from the web in processing?

2 years ago

Perhaps I haven't explained correctly, my aim is not to keep versions of installed software up to date, but to install it for the first time after a fresh OS install.

In linux i can easily make a small script to do this for me, but for windows the only thing that occured to me was processing.

After some more research i found ninite.com and freenew.net, a couple of websites where you select your apps and download an installer, but they lack some of the apps i usually install. There is also installpad, which once fully customized, may just fit the bill.

There are a few more i can try after these, but i haven't found any like the one i built in my head, so when i find some spare time i might just try to make it anyway.

Thank you for your help.

Cheers!

mbraendle

Re: How to download a file from the web in processing?

2 years ago

Just a short question: How many computers do you have to manage?

PhiLho

Re: How to download a file from the web in processing?

2 years ago

Choosing the right language for the right task is important in the programming world.
On Windows, for automating a task, I would use AutoHotkey or AutoIt. They are well integrated to the system and can do lot of things, including proceeding to run the installation themselves and choosing the right installation settings (with some work, of course).
I know mostly AutoHotkey, the syntax is a bit weird but easy to learn, and the forum is very friendly and helpful.

teralogik

Re: How to download a file from the web in processing?

2 years ago

Yes, AutoIT also came to mind, i've used it a couple of times before and i have some tasks automated with it. Perhaps i'll give it a go as well...

Thanks for your help.

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