Michael Bayne
75 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
75 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
## What is it?
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Getdown (yes, it's the funky stuff) aims to provide a system for downloading and installing a
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collection of files on a user's machine and upgrading those files as needed. Though just any
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collection of files would do, Getdown is mainly intended for the distribution and maintenance of
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the collection of files that make up a Java application.
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It was designed as a replacement for [Java Web Start](http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/)
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due to limitations in Java Web Start's architecture which are outlined in the
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[rationale](wiki/Rationale) section.
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## How do I use it?
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A tutorial and more detailed specification are available from the [Documentation] page. Questions
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can be posted to the [OOO Libs Google group].
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## How does it work?
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The main design and operation of Getdown is detailed on the [design](wiki/Design) page. You can
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also browse the [javadoc documentation] and [source code] if you're interested in implementation
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details.
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## Where can I see it in action?
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Getdown was originally written by developers at [OOO](http://www.threerings.net/) for the
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deployment of their Java-based massively multiplayer games. Try out any of the following games to
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see it in action:
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* [Puzzle Pirates](http://www.puzzlepirates.com/) - OOO
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* [Bang! Howdy](http://banghowdy.com) - OOO
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* [Spiral Knights](http://spiralknights.com) - OOO
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* [Tribal Trouble 2](http://www.tribaltrouble2.com/) - Oddlabs
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Getdown is implemented in Java, but certainly can be used to deploy non-Java-based applications.
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Doing so would be a little crazy since you may have to install a JVM on the user's machine (if they
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don't already have one installed), which is a ~7MB download. This isn't so bad if you're already
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installing a Java application and must have a JVM, but it's a little crazy if the JVM is only used
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for your installer. It is probably possible to compile Getdown with
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[GCJ](http://gcc.gnu.org/java/), which would make Getdown a viable choice for non-Java
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applications.
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## Obtaining Getdown
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The latest version of Getdown can be obtained thusly:
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* Download the pre-built jar file from Maven Central: [getdown-1.3.1.jar](http://repo2.maven.org/maven2/com/threerings/getdown/1.3.1/getdown-1.3.1.jar)
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* Obtain the jar artifact via Maven with the following identifier: `com.threerings:getdown:1.3.1`.
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* [Check out the code](https://github.com/threerings/getdown) and build it yourself.
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You can also:
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* View the [javadoc documentation] online.
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* Browse the [source code] online.
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## Building
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Getdown is built with Maven in the standard ways. Invoke the following commands, for fun and
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profit:
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```
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% mvn compile # builds the classes
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% mvn test # builds and runs the unit tests
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% mvn package # builds and creates jar file
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% mvn install # builds, jars and installs in your local Maven repository
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```
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## Discussion
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Feel free to pop over to the [OOO Libs Google Group] to ask questions and get (and give) answers.
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[Documentation]: https://github.com/threerings/getdown/wiki
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[OOO Libs Google group]: http://groups.google.com/group/ooo-libs
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[source code]: https://github.com/threerings/getdown/tree/master/src/main/java/com/threerings/getdown/launcher
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[javadoc documentation]: http://getdown.googlecode.com/svn/apidocs/overview-summary.html
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