How do I make a Java app self-update?

Question

Problem: I have a standalone Java app (henceforth known as \"the agent\") that runs as a service on internal company servers. It acts as a remote agent for

Answer 1

Have a look at Java Web Start.

It is technology that's been part of Java since... 1.5? maybe 1.4? and allows deployment and install of standalone Java-based apps through a web browswer. It also enables you to always run the latest app.

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/overview-137531.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JNLP#Java_Network_Launching_Protocol_.28JNLP.29

also see this question: What's the best way to add a self-update feature to a Java Swing application?