SSW .NET Toolkit - Standard Version Checker Control

The SSW Standard Version Checker Control

The green tick at the bottom left on below form is what this control looks like. The idea of this control came from one of our rule Do you allow users to check for a new version easily?

Figure: SSW Standard Version Checker Control - latest version

This control calls a Web Service and then shows as a green tick or red cross based on the latest version infomation returned from the Web Service.

Figure: SSW Standard Version Checker Control - need upgrade

Figure: SSW Standard Version Checker Control - properties

The URL of Web Service used in .NETToolkit for demo is http://webservices.ssw.com.au/ssw/NETToolkit/VersionChecker.asmx

How do I use the SSW Standard Version Checker Control in my project?

You can use the SSW Standard Version Checker in your applications by following the steps listed below. You will need a website to host the webservice and the product update page.

Install SSW .Net Toolkit
Add reference to SSW.Framework.WindowsUI.dll in your porject

Figure: You can get the assembly in the installed folder of SSW .Net Toolkit
Add the VersionStatus control to your form
You can create it dynamically or just drag it from the toolbox.

Figure: Add SSW standard controls to your toolbox

Figure: Drag VersionStatus control to your form
Create a webservice in your web project
The SSW Standard Version Checker control needs a webservice to get the version number of the specific product.
The webservice must contains a method called GetLatestVersionAndUpdateUrl like below:
```
        [WebMethod]
        public string[] GetLatestVersionAndUpdateUrl(string ProductDownloadID)
        {
           return new string[] { "1.1.1.1", "http://www.ssw.com.au/ssw" };
        }
                        
```
The method returns a string array, which contains the latest version number and the URL of update page.
Set the properties of the control

Figure: Set the webservice URL and product ID
Run the application