Squirrel.Windows is an open-source framework for creating desktop applications on the Windows platform. It provides a simple and efficient way to package, distribute, and update Windows applications, making it easier for developers to deliver their software to users.

Pros

• Easy Deployment: Squirrel.Windows simplifies the deployment process, allowing developers to create a single installer that can be easily distributed and updated.
• Automatic Updates: The framework automatically handles application updates, ensuring that users always have the latest version of the software.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Squirrel.Windows is designed to work with a variety of .NET technologies, including WinForms, WPF, and UWP, making it a versatile choice for Windows application development.
• Open-Source: As an open-source project, Squirrel.Windows benefits from a community of contributors, who help to improve the framework and address any issues that arise.

Cons

• Limited to Windows: Squirrel.Windows is specifically designed for the Windows platform, which may limit its usefulness for developers targeting other operating systems.
• Dependency on .NET: The framework is built on the .NET platform, which means that developers must have a working knowledge of .NET technologies to use it effectively.
• Potential Complexity: While Squirrel.Windows aims to simplify the deployment process, the framework itself can be complex, especially for developers who are new to it.
• Potential Performance Impact: Depending on the size and complexity of the application, the Squirrel.Windows framework may have a noticeable impact on the application's performance.

Code Examples

Here are a few examples of how to use Squirrel.Windows in your code:

1. Updating an Application:

using Squirrel;

public async Task UpdateApplication()
{
    using (var updateManager = new UpdateManager("https://example.com/updates"))
    {
        await updateManager.UpdateApp();
    }
}

This code demonstrates how to use the UpdateManager class to check for and apply updates to the application.

2. Registering a Custom Update Channel:

using Squirrel;

public async Task RegisterCustomUpdateChannel()
{
    using (var updateManager = new UpdateManager("https://example.com/updates"))
    {
        await updateManager.RegisterUpdateChannel("beta", "https://example.com/beta-updates");
    }
}

This code shows how to register a custom update channel, which can be used to provide beta or other specialized updates to users.

3. Handling Application Events:

using Squirrel;

public class MyApplication : Application
{
    protected override void OnInitialize(InitializeEventArgs e)
    {
        base.OnInitialize(e);
        UpdateManager.Instance.CheckForUpdate();
    }

    protected override void OnActivated(ActivatedEventArgs e)
    {
        base.OnActivated(e);
        UpdateManager.Instance.CheckForUpdate();
    }
}

This example demonstrates how to handle application events, such as initialization and activation, to automatically check for updates.

Getting Started

To get started with Squirrel.Windows, follow these steps:

1. Install the Squirrel.Windows NuGet package in your Visual Studio project:

   Install-Package Squirrel.Windows
   

2. Create a new UpdateManager instance and configure it with the URL of your update server:

   using (var updateManager = new UpdateManager("https://example.com/updates"))
   {
       // Perform update-related tasks
   }
   

3. Use the UpdateManager to check for and apply updates:

   await updateManager.UpdateApp();
   

4. Optionally, register custom update channels:

   await updateManager.RegisterUpdateChannel("beta", "https://example.com/beta-updates");
   

5. Handle application events to automatically check for updates:

   protected override void OnInitialize(InitializeEventArgs e)
   {
       base.OnInitialize(e);
       UpdateManager.Instance.CheckForUpdate();